Palace defends infomercials; Binay justifies provincial visits

Infomercials of some Cabinet secretaries do not necessarily mean early campaigning. Malacañang stressed this yesterday as it defended the infomercials of some Cabinet members who are expected to run in the 2016 elections. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Cabinet members are aware of their movements.

While Malacañang defends the infomercials, which some critics say borders on early campaigning, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay continues to go around the country despite criticisms that he is into premature campaigning.

Binay, in a visit to Boac, Marinduque last Thursday, stressed that his visits to provinces are part of his official responsibilities in the Cabinet. He also stressed that it was not yet “election period.”

Some Cabinet members like Health Secretary Janette Garin, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, and Secretary Joel Villanueva of the Technology Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) have infomercials on their respective agencies’ programs and projects.

Earlier, reports revealed that Petilla has plans to run for a higher position in public office in 2016.

“Sometimes we really also have to distinguish because media appearances, of course, that are in connection with subjects under their jurisdiction, hindi po maiiwasan ng ating mga Cabinet secretary ‘yan [our Cabinet secretaries cannot avoid that],” Valte said.

“We hope it will not be taken any differently other than the fact that it really is necessary for a public service announcement. Although I know that aware po ang ating mga Cabinet secretary na baka po may mga ganyang magsabi [although our Cabinet secretaries are aware that there would be criticisms], so they’re also very calculated in their movement,” she said.

Binay noted that one disadvantage of his being an incumbent official is his being accused of campaigning even though he is just doing his job.

Whether he is campaigning or just doing his work, depends on one’s point of view, Binay said.

“Narinig mo naman ‘yung sinasabi ko dito kanina, ‘yung pabahay, etc. Ako’y umiikot, nagtatrabaho. (You heard me earlier discussing housing projects, etc. I’m going around, doing my job),” Binay told newsmen.

Binay, as a member of Aquino’s Cabinet, oversees the government’s shelter sector being the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

He is also President Aquino’s adviser on issues concerning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

From Marinduque, Binay visited the towns of San Francisco, Mulanay, and Catanauan in Quezon province last Friday.

The Vice President distributed wheelchairs to senior citizens and met with local officials.

The past month, Binay has also been to Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Norte, Negros Oriental, Iloilo, and Cebu.

Earlier, the Palace assured that there will be no disruption in public service should Cabinet officials resign to run for public office in 2016.

The Palace, however, said there is no need for Cabinet officials to resign this early as filing of Certificate of Candidacy is in October.