Relationship between Noy, Binay remains good, Palace says

MANILA, Philippines - Despite their decision to put up different slates for the midterm elections and campaign separately, Malacañang believes the relationship between President Aquino and Vice President Jejomar Binay remains good. 

The midterm polls is believed to be a run-up to the 2016 presidential elections and there have been observations that Binay’s move to come up with his own slate showed he could never work with Aquino’s Liberal Party (LP) and possibly not get the President’s endorsement when, as he had declared, he runs for the presidency three years from now.

But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said what happened between Aquino and Binay in this elections “was part of the job.”

“I don’t think that the Vice President has spoken ill really of the President. They have candidates, the President has his candidates. Trabaho lang din po (It’s just part of the job). They will go back to their respective jobs after this,” Valte said over radio dzRB.

Valte also said she did not want to comment on the reported infighting among Team PNoy candidates, who were all present during their miting de avance in Quezon City Friday night.

She said there was no more reason for her to interpret body language and facial expressions of candidates.

Valte likewise debunked the comments from Binay and the United Nationalist Alliance that Aquino’s pitch for a 12-0 victory in the senatorial elections was meant for mind conditioning.

She said it was only natural to campaign and ask people to vote straight for the President’s allies.

Valte added that endorsements from religious and other groups would be welcome and “as far as the administration is concerned, we are hoping that the people will support the whole of Team PNoy.”

On Friday, Aquino called on the public to vote for the administration’s senatorial and local candidates, saying electing his allies would ensure continuity of programs and more reforms.

“We promise you, there will be further changes in my last years. These will be quicker if I have allies in the government,” the President told supporters at the LP’s miting de avance at the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City.