Trillanes: ‘No chance’ of Aquino endorsing Binay

MANILA, Philippines – An Aquino-backed presidential bid for Vice President Jejomar Binay? Not a chance, says Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Quezon City on Saturday, August 23, the senator was asked if he would urge President Benigno Aquino III not to endorse Binay for the 2016 presidential polls.

Trillanes replied, “Hindi ko na ho kailangan ipanawagan ‘yun kasi I know through inside information na hindi po si Vice President Binay ang i-eendorso ni President Aquino.”

(There is no need to do that because I know through inside information that President Aquino will not endorse Vice President Binay.)

Binay, who heads the opposition coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), earlier cited raw information that Aquino’s party mates in the ruling Liberal Party (LP) are supposedly considering adopting him as the administration’s standard bearer.

Speculation about the possibility of the President endorsing Binay came after Aquino made special mention of the Vice President during his State of the Nation Address.

Aquino’s sisters have also said they were “open” to the possibility of endorsing Binay.

But in recent interviews, the President clarified his sisters’ remarks. The LP has also denied Binay’s claims, with LP stalwart Senate President Franklin Drilon saying the party was backing Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

Trillanes said there is “no chance” that Binay will be Aquino’s choice, adding that Binay’s camp is trying to convince the public otherwise.

“Walang tyansa. Pero iyan po ang gustong papaniwalain ng kampo ni Vice President Binay sa taumbayan para makita na siya pa rin ang tinutukoy ni President Aquino na magpapatuloy ng tuwid na daan pero hindi po iyan totoo.“

(There is no chance. But that is what the camp of Vice President Binay wants the people to believe so that Binay will be seen as the one chosen by President Aquino to continue his path to good governance, but that is not true.) – Rappler.com