PNoy boys vs VPNay; Erap plays it cool

MALACAÑANG says that the people cannot be fooled by the claims and tirade of Vice President Jejomar Binay against the present administration.

Some gains were made and Pinoys know PNoy better, Palace Boys assert.

*** The PNoy administration is actually “masipag” (industrious), maagap (prompt) and masinop (wise spender) contrary to Binay’s negative claims, says Presidential Communications Sec. Herminio Coloma Jr.

Think positive and sunny, Palace tells President(iable) Rambotito.

*** Cabinet men dismiss as baseless Binay’s tirade at the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) opposition party launch that the present administration is lazy, slow to action and indecisive, in addition to an earlier criticism that it is insensitive and inept.

Binay’s litany hurts and is uncalled for, PNoy Boys lament.

***

In a press briefing, Coloma brushes aside Binay’s tirade, saying that the people would be the ultimate judge of what the Aquino III administration has achieved.

We have significantly reduced corruption, Sonny claims.

*** “The government is prepared for any crisis and calamity even before they arrive to ensure the safety and welfare of the people,” Coloma says.

We are decisive and quick to action, he adds.

***

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad also belies the claim of Binay that the budget that should have been allocated to his housing agencies had been diverted to Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II’s department, saying four housing agencies received a total of

billion since 2010. “Why does the Vice President insist on misleading the public, especially when the facts will so easily debunk his claims? Abad asks.

***

Meanwhile, Malacañang remains silent on Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s pronouncement that he might run again for president if Binay, for some reason, is disqualified from running.

What lies deep in Erap’s heart?, some people are asking.

***

But in a press briefing, Palace boys admit that the former president and now Manila mayor remains a formidable force in the political arena and in the forthcoming elections.

Shhh, Erap is not yet a “spent force.”

***

Citing the May, 2010, presidential elections where Estrada ranked a close second to President Aquino and the 2013 mayoralty race in Manila where he defeated Mayor Alfredo Lim, they say Erap remains a major influence in Philippine politics.

And whoever Erap endorses in the 2016 will likely have an advantage...

*** “Certainly, President Estrada is a big influence,” says Coloma, though noting that Erap skipped the launching of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Makati City last week.

Just conspicuously absent or intentionally absent?

***

Estrada explains that he had “previous engagements” and was not also feeling well then.

No feeling well about what?, naughty people ask.

***

However, Estrada admits in a television interview that he is torn between supporting his close friend and kumpadre Binay and his goddaughter, Sen. Grace Poe, daughter of his best friend, the late action star Fernando Poe Jr.

Erap is also “Torn between two lovers,” as the song goes.

***

“I am not in the position to speak for Estrada. Let us allow other people to talk about him and speculate about his political plans,” Coloma begs off.

Erap, indeed, remains a force to reckon with and could now be asking,” should my heart beat for Jojo, Grace, or for myself? Let’s keep watching!