Use of gov’t resources for Roxas candidacy rapped; nothing irregular – Coloma

The Aquino administration is using government resources and people’s money to prop up its chosen presidential candidate, Secretary Mar Roxas, the Bagong Alyansa Makabayan (Bayan) charged yesterday.

In the face of criticism against President Aquino and several Cabinet members in a show of force for Roxas in Cebu City, Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said there was nothing irregular in their trip as they were just doing their job.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay welcomed the results of a new survey showing his return to the top spot among potential presidential candidates, followed by Secreary Roxas, Sen. Grae Poe, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Cabinet men in Cebu

Renato M. Reyes Jr., secretary-general of Bayan, said Secretary Roxas has been going around the country in a “pseudo campaign” at the expense of taxpayers, the latest of which was a visit to Cebu attended by the President and Cabinet members of the Cabinet expected to run for seats in the Senate, including Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Health Secretary Janette Garin, and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino.

Roxas’ recent activities have included the distribution of fire trucks and patrol cars to local government units as part of their “capability enhancement,” the Bayan official said. The secretary has also been visible in the distribution of “emergency funds” for victims of 2013’s typhoon “Yolanda.”

“It’s been more than 500 days since Yolanda. The victims have been clamoring for housing, livelihood, and financial assistance for years. Now it arrives, courtesy of Mar Roxas, in the initial stages of preparations for the May, 2016, presidential elections. The timing is obvious,” Reyes noted.

“Roxas could have irrevocably resigned out of delicadeza, but it’s obvious that his resigning and Aquino’s refusal to accept it was all a show. Pakitang tao lang,” he added. Roxas tendered his resignation as DILG secretary but was reportedly persuaded by the President to extend his stint in the Cabinet to complete several unfinished tasks, among which are the modernization of the Philippine National Police and the relocation of informal settlers in Metro Manila.

Malacañang defense

In Malacañang, Secretary Coloma said there was nothing irregular in the presence of some Cabinet members in President Aquino’s recent engagement in Cebu that promoted the presidential bid of Secretary Roxas.

“Mayroon pong konsepto diyan, ‘yung konsepto na alter ego of the President (There is a concept called the alter ego of the President),” Coloma said. “Lahat naman po kami ay naglilingkod para sa Pangulo, at kapag mayroong official functions ang Pangulo, makatuwiran na naroroon din ang mga miyembro ng Gabinete para maging saksi sa kanyang mga official action at para makapag-render din ng suporta (We all serve at the pleasure of the President and if he has official functions, it is proper that Cabinet members are present to witness his official action and render support),” he added.

Coloma made the remarks after several Cabinet members joined the President in a “gathering of friends,” a show of force for Roxas, in Cebu City last Monday. Three potential senatorial candidates, namely, Secretary De Lima, MMDA Chairman Tolentino, and PhilHealth Director Risa Hontiveros, were given the opportunity to address the crowd. De Lima even sang “That’s What Friends Are For.”

Other cabinet members spotted in the Cebu event were Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Social Secretary Dinky Soliman, and Health Secretary Janette Garin.

Prior to the political event, the Chief Executive attended a briefing on major infrastructure projects in Cebu City. He was accompanied by Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Binay tops new survey

Vice President Binay said his return to the top of presidential surveys is due to the Filipinos’ realization that the allegations of corruption against him are just plain lies. He was interviewed by RMN Cebu on Monday.

Binay regained top spot in the survey among prospective presidential candidates next year reportedly commissioned by a business group for Malacañang. The results showed that Binay garnered a preference rating of 33 percent, followed by Roxas (21 percent), Poe (14 percent), Duterte (11 percent), and Marcos (9 percent). The survey was reportedly conducted August 6-11.

Binay had consistently led in surveys by independent pollsters until Poe overtook him in January. Poe has yet to declare her plans for 2016. The Vice President blamed the recent dip in his ratings on the administration-sponsored “demotion job” in the year-long Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee investigation on his alleged acts record when he was Makati City mayor.

Poe in Pangasinan

Meanwhile, thousands of students in universities here are expected to meet Poe during her visit in Pangasinan with her “Youth Agenda: Pangarap Nating Pilipinas.”

Poe, whose father Fernando Poe Jr., a native of Caoayan Kiling, San Carlos City, is expected to arrive tomorrow morning on her visit to Lyceum Northwerstern University and University of Luzon, in Dagupan City and Virgin Milagrosa University Foundation in San Carlos City. (With a report from Liezle Basa Iñigo)