Members of the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigating the alleged overpricing of a 12-story building for the University of Makati’s nursing school watch a presentation on Monday. The building’s construction cost of P1.140 billion is alleged to be overpriced to benefit then mayor Jejomar Binay back in 2007. (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Monday put its game face on after consistent attacks from Vice President Jejomar Binay’s camp the past few days.
“We say to his camp in dishing out lies against the President: Bring it on,” presidential spokesman Secretary Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Lacierda was reacting to accusations from Binay’s camp that the Aquino government is guilty of bad governance and of harassing officials associated with the Vice President.
The Palace official used Binay’s own words to show the Vice President’s supposed change of stance regarding the administration’s performance.
Lacierda pointed out that during the World Economic Forum last year, Binay cited “the positive impact of the reforms initiated by President Aquino.”
“So, who continues to tell lies? The Vice President then or the Vice President now?” the Palace official said.
He added that Binay “continues to attack the President because he refuses to answer convincingly all allegations of corruption and ill gotten wealth against him.”
“We have yet to hear a response other than ‘pulitika lang yan’,” Lacierda said.
Vice President Binay, his son Mayor Junjun Binay and other Makati officials have at least two pending plunder and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman concering construction projects in Makati.
The Senate blue ribbon subcommittee has conducted 21 public hearings on the matter. A draft report had recommended plunder charges against the Vice President, his son and other Makati officials supposedly involved in the anomalies.
Meanwhile, Lacierda said the Palace did not harass, but just reminded Binay’s appointees that courtesy resignation is the norm after their superior quit his post.
Last week, the Vice President delivered a scathing speech against the Aquino government, which he called “callous” and “a failure.”
Binay, who quit his Cabinet posts last week, also accused the administration of perpetuating selective justice and letting allies off the hook in various controversies.
In response, Aquino said Binay had five years to air his gripes as a Cabinet official, but instead chose to remain silent. (MNS)