'Binay still a real friend of Aquino'

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday shot down speculations that he is severing ties with President Benigno Aquino III following his harsh words against the administration.

"Vice President Binay remains an ally of the president. More importantly, he continues to be a real friend of the Aquino family," Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Binay's spokesman for political affairs, said in a statement.

Binay fuelled speculations of a break between him and Aquino after he slammed the justice department for supposedly targeting him and members of the opposition while turning a blind eye to Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima, two administration allies also accused of corruption.

Remulla said Binay was only giving his opinion as lawyer since he was speaking at a Public Attoney's Office event.

"The views he articulated during the forum with lawyers were a product of the experience and wisdom he gained as a life-long human rights advocate and as a lawyer well-versed on the constructs of our legal system," Remulla said.

Earlier today, the United Nationalist Alliance also refuted claims that Binay is criticizing Aquino and is cutting their ties.

Binay and his son, Makati City Mayor Erwin Binay, are facing a graft and plunder charges for allegedly benefiting from the supposedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall II parking building.

He is also accused of owning and hiding from public a 350-hectare agricultural estate in Rosario, Batangas.

The Vice President has belied all allegations but he has refused to face the Senate probe. Aquino, on the other hand, has denied personally knowing the veracity of the accusations thrown at Binay.

One of Binay's spokesmen earlier accused Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II of orchestrating a demolition campaign against him ahead of the 2016 presidential elections.

The Senate inquiry is allegedly part of this well-organized and well-financed conspiracy, according to Binay's camp.