VP Binay camp hits Mar Roxas for ‘lame, insignificant’ comments on resignation speech

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas' response to former Vice President Jejomar Binay's criticism of the administration was "lame and insignificant" as expected, a Binay spokesman said Thursday.

 

In his speech Wednesday, the vice president enumerated the supposed shortcomings of President Benigno Aquino III's administration and dared his critics to face him in the 2016 elections. 

 

"Alam nila na marami sa kanilang kandidato ang hindi mananalo sa isang malinis at patas na halalan. Kaya gagamit sila ng maruruming paraan, sukdulang sila ay magsinungaling, magwaldas ng pondo ng bayan, at magpatuloy sa paglabag sa batas," Binay said.

 

Binay's speech — delivered after he resigned from the Cabinet — was was met with criticism by Malacañang, and by Roxas, one of the possible presidential bets of the administration Liberal Party.

In a report on "Balitanghali", Roxas said he could only laugh at Binay's speech. 

"The thing is, he's had every single day over the last five years to point out wrongdoings or mistakes in this admin. Wala tayong nadinig — as in zero — hanggang ngayon na wala siyang masabi tungkol sa mga anomalyang pinaparatang laban sa kanya," he said.

 

"Unfortunately, while the vice president dutifully performed his mandate, the president's and Secretary Roxas' allies utilized government resources to maliciously discredit the accomplishments of the Vice President, while giving their presumptive candidate the chance to gain political mileage," lawyer Rico Quicho said in a press statement.

 

Binays camp also criticized Roxas for his leadesrship of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

 

"Secretary Roxas' lackadaisical performance in the DOTC and DILG portfolios despite enormous government funds given to him defines his leadership capabilities. They also expose the lie that is 'tuwid na daan'," Quicho said, referring to the Aquino administration's political reform program.

 

The budgets of the Office of the Vice President and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council supposedly pale in comparison with the allocations made to the departments that Roxas has headed.

 

"Yet Vice President Binay faithfully served the poor during his time. The vice president's work ethic and commitment to serve has earned for him the trust and apreciation of the people," Quicho said. —Keith Richard Mariano/KG/JDS, GMA News