Binay saddened by Roxas’ response on VP offer

Vice President Jejomar Binay is saddened by the reaction of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II on his offer for the latter to be his running mate in 2016.

“The Vice President simply wanted to stress the need for healing and unity. Under his presidency, there will be no room for political vendetta,” Binay’s spokesman Joey Salgado said in a text message yesterday.

“A Binay administration will focus solely on improving the lives of the people. His administration is willing to work with all political parties, including non- allies, on a shared agenda of real inclusive growth. That was the spirit and intent of the offer which was made in all sincerity,” he added.

Salgado was referring to the response of Roxas when asked Friday about his reaction to the Vice President’s offer for him to be his running mate.

“Whatever happens, I will never tread the crooked path. I will only follow the straight path,” Roxas said on the sidelines of a forum in Pangasinan.

“I will go for those who have a clean record and no trace of corruption in their service,” he added.

Even without naming names, it was apparent that the secretary – who lost to Binay in the vice presidential race in 2010 – was referring to the corruption allegations lodged against the Vice President’s family.

According to Salgado, it is unfortunate for Roxas to repeat the same baseless and malicious allegations against the Vice President.

“For the last seven months, the senators have waged a vicious campaign of lies against the Vice President. They presented spurious and even fake documents and falsely presented as proof the mere say- so of local political enemies,” Salgado said.

“It saddens us that the secretary has taken the same low road as the senators,” he added.

Salgado scored Roxas for seemjudge ingly forgetting that his partymates and allies have been named in the past in several large-scale anomalies but enjoy apparent protection from prosecution.

“Vice President Binay offers to the people his track record of service in Makati when he was mayor and as vice president of the republic. Secretary Roxas should similarly offer his track record at the DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) and DILG ( Department of the Interior and Local Government) and let the people in 2016,” Salgado said.

He said in the end, the presidential elections will be about competence, genuine compassion for the poor and readiness to lead the country.

Erap-Binay meeting

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday said he will meet with Binay and the officials of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) to determine the final slate of the opposition for the 2016 elections. In a telephone interview with The

STAR, Estrada said both his political party, the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), and Binay’s UNA will choose their senatorial candidates in 2016.

“There is no need for a convention. I will talk to Vice President Binay about the opposition’s slate by July,” Estrada said.

He said the opposition will welcome candidates and political parties who intend to join the opposition coalition.

“As of now, Vice President Binay is our only candidate for president,” Estrada added.

Estrada ran in tandem with Binay in the 2010 elections under the UNA coalition.