Palace slams Binay tirade on fund diversion

The word war between Malacañang and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay is heating up.

Malacañang blasted anew the Vice President this time for his ‘irresponsible’ allegations that public funds were being diverted to bribe certain government officials and attack political opponents.

The government has practiced transparent and judicious use of government funds for projects meant to benefit the people, according to Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

“Walang katotohanan at wala pong batayan ang paratang na ‘yan. Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, tumatalima si Pangulong Aquino sa prinsipyo ng matuwid na daan [There is no truth, no basis to those allegations. In all occasions, President Aquino follows the principle of the straight path],” Coloma said.

“The Aquino administration has governed on the basis of open, transparent, and accountable government. Government funds have been used judiciously to attain the objectives of inclusive growth and poverty reduction,” he added.

Coloma said even the international community has recognized the good governance practices of the Aquino administration that have boosted the country’s investment ratings and earned high confidence as a favored investments destination.

‘Fund misuse’ In his latest attack against the administration, the Vice President raised concerns about the alleged misuse of public funds by the government to undermine its political rivals.

Binay also bewailed that lack of social services for the poor due to the decreasing budget of the Department of Health.

Coloma, however, presented budget figures to dispel the allegations made by Binay during the press conference.

He pointed out that the annual Department of Health (DOH) budget has been increasing since 2010. He said the health department has a total budget of billion in 2015, up from billion in 2014, billion 2013, billion in 2012, billion in 2011, and billion in 2010.

In the proposed 2016 national budget, the DOH will get billion, or 25.2 percent higher compared to the 2015 outlay, Coloma said.

“Baka naman po pag-aralan muna ‘yung mga datos at ‘yung mga figures. Hindi naman responsable na magbibitaw lang ng kahit anong numero at magpaparatang na hindi sapat na pinag-aralan [Maybe he should study the data and figures. It is not responsible to issue numbers and allegations that are not thoroughly studied],” Coloma said.

Coloma said he believes the public is intelligent enough to distinguish the truth from false allegations. He said they will continue to present the truth to counter any lies spread about the President and his government.