Binay: Nobody’s indispensable in the opposition

MANILA, Philippines – A day after the arrest of his key ally and once rumored running mate for 2016 Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Vice President Jejomar Binay said nobody is indispensable in the opposition.

Binay said that the opposition remains strong despite the plunder charges against its key leaders but added that any member can be replaced.

“Sa bawat samahan o organisasyon, nobody’s indispensable. Laging may kapalit, laging may susunod. Buo pa rin ang oposisyon,” Binay said in an interview in Makati on Tuesday, June 24.

(In any group or organization, nobody’s indispensable. There is always a replacement, always someone to take over. The opposition remains complete.)

Binay, head and founder of the opposition coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said that the arrest of Estrada on Monday and the possible arrest of another key ally, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile, would not cripple the opposition.

“Bakit naman napilayan? Nandiyan pa rin ang oposisyon. Lagi naming sinasabi na ‘We are the new type of opposition.’ We will compliment or criticize the administration when the necessity arises,” Binay said in reference to UNA’s self-styled description as a “constructive opposition.”  

(Why will we be crippled? The opposition is still there. We always say, “We are the new type of opposition.”)

Estrada, Enrile, and another opposition senator, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, face plunder and graft charges for allegedly channeling their discretionary funds known as pork barrel to fake non-governmental organizations in exchange for multi-million peso kickbacks.

Estrada and Revilla are already detained after the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan ordered their arrest. The court has yet to decide on Enrile’s motion for determination of probable cause.

Estrada was arrested on Monday, but Binay’s office then said that the Vice President would not issue a statement on the matter.

‘Lawmakers can be liable, too’

A human rights lawyer, Binay reiterated on Tuesday that the rule of law should be followed, and the case against his allies should be decided based on the evidence.

Yet Binay disagreed with the argument that Estrada often cites that it is the implementing agencies, not the lawmakers, that should be held liable for failing to check the legitimacy of the foundations.

“’Yun ang sinasabi ng depensa. Ayon sa depensa, pagkatapos ma-appropriate, ibibigay sa department. Cut na doon ’yun (involvement). ’Yung regular department ang mag-i-implement at maghahanap ng NGO and corporations to implement it. If at all ’yung cut na ’yun ay hindi mapuputol, may conspiracy.”

(That is what the defense is saying. According to the defense, after appropriating the funds, it is given to the department. Their involvement stops there. The regular department will implement and find NGOs and corporations to implement the project. If at all that involvement is not cut off [after that], there is a conspiracy.”)

He added, “Kasi kung hindi na-cut, may mga taga-Congress na dumudugtong pa sa transaction na ’yun. If ever, magiging liable sila doon dahil sa conspiracy.”

(Because if the involvement is not cut, members of Congress still make transactions. If ever, they will be liable because of conspiracy.)

Binay refused to brand the arrest of the senators as a “trophy of the Aquino administration,” instead opting for a safer description.

“Let’s just say that, ‘It’s a first of its kind.’ It’s the first time that members of Congress are charged. But there will still be a trial, and let us not say that they are already guilty. They have the right to be presumed innocent.”

Binay has been cautious in his statements on the pork barrel scam, the country’s biggest corruption scandal in recent history. His critics, including Senate Majority Leader Alan Cayetano, warned that his allies will be acquitted if he wins as president in 2016. Surveys show Binay is the leading presidential candidate.

The Vice President also drew flak for allegedly being “two faced” in expressing support for the President while his opposition allies attack the administration. Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice delivered a privilege speech on the issue on June 10 but Binay refused to respond to the criticism.

Erap rivalry in 2016?

Binay also responded to the statement of his ally, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, that the Manila mayor will run against him in 2016 if Binay becomes the administration candidate. Estrada is one of the top opposition leaders and was the one who fielded Binay as vice presidential candidate in 2010.

“Parang mali ’yung sequence noon,” Binay said. “Kung ako ay tatakbo under sa administration, administration ang sumasama sa opposition, hindi pabaliktad. Hindi ko naman igi-give up ang pagka-opposition ko. This is a coalition.”

(That sequence sounds wrong. If I will run under the administration, it is the administration that will join the opposition, not the other way around. I will not give up being part of the opposition. It is going to be a coalition.)

Asked if he was open to forming a coalition with the administration, Binay said, “In politics, everything is possible.”

The ruling Liberal Party (LP) has yet to announce its plans and candidate for the 2016 presidential polls, but some of its leaders already point to Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Binay’s bitter rival in the 2010 vice presidential polls, Roxas has been coy about his plans for 2016.

Also eyeing the presidency is Cayetano of the Nacionalista Party (NP) of Senator Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr.

Whether or not he ends up forming a coalition with other parties, Binay said for now, he remains with the opposition.

“If there is an administration [party], necessarily, there is an opposition. Otherwise, this will be a totalitarian government.” – Rappler.com