The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has defended Vice President Jejomar Binay against rumors he is involved in an alleged attempt to overthrow the Aquino administration, days after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said unnamed political opposition groups are plotting a coup.
“For the record the VP (vice president) will not be part of any unconstitutional act and has categorically said that he is not in favor of moves asking Aquino to step down. The VP is not supportive for the calls of resignation but, like anyone else, he wants the whole truth to be known by the Filipino people,” UNA interim president and Navotas City Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco said in a statement Sunday.
Binay is UNA’s standard bearer for the 2016 presidential elections.
The UNA executive accused Trillanes of using the coup rumors to divert attention from perceived government negligence in planning and executing the anti-terror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.
He dared the senator to divulge the identities of those allegedly planning against the administration.
Citing information he gathered from intelligence sources, Trillanes said last Friday that various groups from the political opposition, the Left, the civil society and the Church are plotting to bring down the Aquino administration following the death of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos in the Mamasapano raid.
Also last week, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago said she has received information about a brewing coup attempt that is reportedly being financed by an unidentified wealthy Filipino.
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has confirmed receiving such reports but assured the public that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is not joining the plot.
‘Trillanes should be suspect’
Instead of linking the political opposition to the alleged coup attempt, Tiangco said Trillanes should be the one whom the public should suspect first because of his history of joining activities to overthrow the government.
“If indeed there are coup rumors, then si Trillanes ang unang dapat pagdudahan, dahil siya ang may history na may ambisyon na mang-agaw ng kapangyarihan sa pamamaraan na labag sa Saligang Batas,” the lawmaker said.
Trillanes, a former Navy officer, was detained during the Arroyo administration for his involvement in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny. He was also charged for the Manila Peninsula siege in November 2007. He and other military personnel who joined the mutinies have since been granted amnesty.
Magdalo party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, who also took part in a mutiny against the Arroyo administration, said that while there’s little likelihood the AFP will participate in the purported destabilization plot, the loyalty of the police and military should constantly be checked.
