Binay on Noy: Together forever

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay said yesterday that no amount of intrigue will destroy his friendship with President Aquino.

“In good or bad times, we will be together,” he said. “We have been friends since he was still young.”

Binay said he did not leave the Aquino family even during coups against President Corazon Aquino because he owes a lot to the Aquinos.

“We have been together in all the coups,” he said. “I will not go this far had it not been for the Aquinos, especially President Cory Aquino.”

Binay was reacting to insinuations that his relations with Aquino have been strained due to his attempt to end the standoff in Zamboanga City peacefully.

Binay stood firm that Aquino and Nur Misuari had authorized him to negotiate the possibility of a peaceful settlement of the standoff.

“I was given the authority to negotiate with chairman Nur Misuari,” he said.

“Like what I said, I called up the President after I received a call from a conduit of chairman Nur Misuari. I told President Aquino I was being invited by chairman Misuari, for us to talk and discuss the problem in Zamboanga City.”

Meanwhile, Binay has expressed hope that the plunder charges against those involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam are not politically motivated.

In an interview in Tanauan, Leyte, Binay said he also hopes that the second batch of politicians allegedly involved in the scam will not come from the opposition.

“The first batch are not allies of the administration,” he said. “That is what is saddening there.”

Binay said he expects the Department of Justice to file more charges, but he hopes that they will not focus on members of the opposition.

“I hope it will not be to erase speculation and accusations that they are targeting the opposition,” he said.