Palace warned: Be careful what you wish for

“BE CAREFUL what you wish for,” the camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday told the Palace in response to its dare that Binay continue his attacks against the Aquino administration.

Spokesperson Rico Quicho made the statement in a TV program when he was asked whether Binay’s recent criticism of the government was part of its strategy in his campaign for the presidency in next year’s elections.

“It’s because the administration has gone to the extreme. It has exerted all pressure so that the Vice President will not push through with his bid for the presidency,” Quicho said.

He noted that presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda told reporters seeking a reaction on Binay’s attacks for the Vice President to “bring it on.”

“Our answer is: Be careful of what you wish for,” Quicho said.

The Vice President resigned from President Aquino’s Cabinet and had promptly called the administration “insensitive” and “inept” in responding to the needs of the people, citing the frequent breakdowns of the MRT trains.

Quicho acknowledged that Binay’s camp was going all-out for Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay who is facing a second suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with its investigation of corruption charges.

“We are fighting against the pressure being exerted not only on the Binay family but also the residents and employees of Makati City,” he said, noting that authorities had prevented City Hall officials from going to their workplace.

Quicho also said the Vice President had wanted the other day to seek an explanation from the ground commander securing City Hall on the barricade there but the police official hid in his car.

Asked whether the Binay camp was prepared to handle administration moves against the Vice President, he said: “It does seem that what they are doing to us is forevermore ... But my question is why is the Binay family being singled out?”

Quicho said Mayor Binay’s move to secure a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals to stop his new suspension order was the legal process and legal remedy it could turn to at this time.