VP Binay condoles with Arroyo at brother’s wake

MANILA, Philippines – Once one of her loudest critics, Vice President Jejomar Binay condoled with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo soon after the passing of the Pampanga representative’s brother.

The opposition’s standard-bearer met with Arroyo at the wake of her elder brother, Arturo “Art” Macapagal, on Tuesday afternoon, August 11, hours after Macapagal died from prostate cancer.

Binay’s spokesperson Rico Quicho told Rappler that the Vice President’s visit was unplanned. Quicho called the meeting between the Vice President and the former president “spontaneous.”

“The VP condoled and offered prayers to PGMA’s (Arroyo) family for the passing of a family member,” Quicho said.

Binay and Arroyo exchanged pleasantries, a break from their tense rivalry during the presidency of the lawmaker.

The Vice President was the leader of the so-called “Genuine Opposition” when Arroyo was president from 2001 to 2010. He allowed Makati to be the regular venue of protests against her. Binay was then the mayor of the financial center.

Binay had criticized Arroyo over corruption scandals, and allegations she cheated in the 2004 polls. The Vice President was the campaign manager of then opposition presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr, who accused Arroyo of electoral fraud.

The ex-Makati mayor had also blasted Arroyo for supposedly orchestrating suspension orders against him over graft and corruption in Makati.

UNA-Lakas alliance?

Despite their stormy past, Binay has since mended ties with Arroyo. 

Under the Aquino administration, the former President has been in hospital detention for a plunder case stemming from charges she misused Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office funds as president.

Arroyo’s camp has repeatedly asked the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to allow her to post bail, to no avail.

Binay has been among those who called on the government to show “compassion” to Arroyo. (READ: Allow house arrest for Enrile, Arroyo)

The Vice President said in February: “Compassion should also be given to former President Arroyo. She is also of frail health. Her petition for house arrest is being opposed by government prosecutors and her case has barely moved in court. The fact that the former president is a political opponent should not deprive her of the compassion that should be extended to all detainees similarly situated, regardless of political affiliation.”

Recently, Binay also said he is open to aligning with Arroyo’s party, Lakas-CMD, for the 2016 polls. Binay is the leader of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Former Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez, a close Arroyo ally, has said that the Pampanga congresswoman ordered Lakas-CMD members to provide support to Binay when he visits their areas.

Still, Lakas’ leadership clarified on Monday that the former ruling party has not yet committed support to any candidate, pending a consultation with its members.

Lakas is now headed by detained Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr as chairman, and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez as president.

UNA president and Navotas Representative Tobias “Toby” Tiangco, told Rappler that critics must not read into Binay’s visit to Arroyo.

“He was condoling, visiting a dead person, there is no politics there. It is better for a former enemy to condole than for former allies to step on the former president when she is already down. Who are the ones stepping on GMA now that she is down? Isn’t it her former allies? Even if you are political enemies, it does not mean you cannot condole,” Tiangco said.

Arroyo had asked the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan to visit her brother on Tuesday but she did not make it to the Makati Medical Center before he died. – Rappler.com