Binay slams LP ‘hypocrisy’

Carmela Fonbuena

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Vice President Binay reminds his critics how the Arroyo administration persecuted him

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay called Liberal Party (LP) members linking him to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “hypocrites.”

“Look who’s talking? Those who are saying those now were rabid supporters of GMA (Arroyo) before,” Binay said in a statement.

Binay has been criticized for including Arroyo allies Zambales Rep Milagros “Mitos” Magsaysay and former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri in his potential senatorial lineup.

Binay gave assurances that the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)—the coalition between his Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and former President Joseph Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino—has no plans of forming an alliance with Arroyo.

“Elections are about choices. No party can claim monopoly of good intentions and good people willing to serve. This is the essence of democracy, that we present a responsible opposition,” Binay added.

PDP-Laban party president Sen Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III defended UNA’s decision to include Magsaysay in its senatorial lineup. He praised Magsaysay as a hardworking congresswoman.

LP’s ties with GMA

Binay also reminded President Aquino’s allies in LP how they supported Arroyo amid allegations that she cheated the late Fernando Poe Jr. to win the 2004 presidential elections. As Poe’s ally then, Binay led the United Opposition (UNO) against Arroyo.

“Where were they when FPJ was being cheated? Where were they when we in the opposition were being harassed by the Arroyo administration?” he said.

Binay also recalled how the LP, as a part of the House majority coalition, voted against the first impeachment complaint against Arroyo.

E kung sino man sila, nakita ko kayo. “Wow GMA! Mahal na mahal ka namin, GMA. GMA, ikaw ang tunay na nanalo. Kayo po yun. Hindi po kami ‘yan. Ngayon ang lakas ng loob ninyong pagbibintangan ninyo kami diyan,” Binay said.

LP suffered a controversial split under the Arroyo years because of disagreements on whether or not they should continue supporting her. LP was split into the factions of Senator Franklin Drilon and then Manila Mayor Lito Atienza. The LP-Atienza wing stayed with Arroyo. The LP-Drilon wing abandoned Arroyo and joined Binay and the late President Corazon Aquino in Makati rallies calling for her ouster.

It was the LP-Drilon wing that the Supreme Court eventually recognized.

100% supportive of PNoy

Considering how he suffered during the Arroyo administration, Binay said there should be no question about his position against Arroyo.

Before the 2007 midterm elections, the Office of the Ombudsman attempted to suspend Binay over a graft case. He defied the order and still won the elections.

Binay said he completely supports President Aquino. “Have they forgotten that I am part of the Cabinet? I am 100 percent supportive of President Aquino,” he said.

Binay is the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the concurrent presidential adviser on OFW concerns. He also chairs the government’s anti-illegal recruitment and anti-human trafficking task forces.

He said the LP members are only “sowing intrigues” because they are “insecure” about the names in the UNA senatorial lineup. – Rappler.com

 

 

 

 

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!