Binay camp: Maybe Robredo hasn’t heard of ex-VP’s work ethic

MANILA, Philippines – The spokesperson of former vice president Jejomar Binay described Vice President Leni Robredo as “unfair and self-serving” for “portray[ing] herself – after only 5 months in office – as the most hardworking HUDCC chair.”

Robredo had said on Monday, December 5, that no one in the Duterte Cabinet could say she had not given it her all during her stint as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

The Vice President made the remarks on her work ethic after she was asked by media whether she had any conflicts with President Rodrigo Duterte in terms of the housing sector, and whether these conflicts influenced her decision to resign from the Duterte Cabinet.

“According to VP Robredo, she is perhaps the only HUDCC chair who personally attends board meetings and works on weekends and at home. I cannot speak for the other previous HUDCC chairs but perhaps she hasn’t heard of former VP Binay’s work ethic,” said Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado in a statement on Tuesday, December 6.

“Hindi naman siguro tama na tapakan ang iba para maiangat ang sarili,” Salgado added. (It’s not right to trample on others just to make one’s self look good.)

Back in June, days before Robredo took her oath, she and Binay had met at her home. Binay said he was ready to give advice, while Robredo – according to a statement from Binay’s office – described him as tireless in going around the Philippines.

‘Different situations’

Salgado also said Robredo’s predecessors at HUDCC who “served much longer” than her “faced different challenges under different situations.”

“They have longer, more tangible lists of accomplishments despite smaller budgets, politicking within the Cabinet, and what she described as the ‘institutional weakness’ of the agency,” added Salgado.

Binay, who served as housing czar and also presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) under the Aquino administration, resigned from the Cabinet in June 2015, after 5 years of holding the posts.

Back then, Binay said he resigned to protest the “failed” government. He slammed then president Benigno Aquino III and Aquino’s allies for “selective justice,” after he was hounded by corruption allegations stemming from his time as Makati mayor.

Aquino fired back at Binay, saying he should have helped improve the country since he was part of the Cabinet for 5 years. (READ: Aquino and Binay: From family friends to political enemies)

Aquino and Robredo both belong to the once-ruling Liberal Party (LP), while Binay ran for president in the May 2016 elections under the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Binay, initially considered the frontrunner in the presidential race, finished in 4th place. – Rappler.com