Palace to Binay: Check your facts first

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday advised Vice President Jejomar Binay to check his facts and figures first before making scathing and offensive remarks against the administration of President Aquino, especially regarding the economy and budget allocations.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. took issue with Binay’s claim of the government’s alleged shrinking allocation for basic health services.

In a news briefing, the spokesman pointed out that the Department of Health (DOH) 2016 budget of P128.5 billion is actually a far cry from the time Aquino assumed office in June 2010, when his predecessor allotted only P23.5 billion.

Coloma said the DOH got P38.4 billion in 2011, P42.8 billion in 2012, P54.6 billion in 2013, P83.7 billion in 2014 and P87 billion this year, citing records from the Department of Budget and Management. The difference between DOH’s budget for 2015 and 2016 is P41.5 billion.

And if DOH should be allotted five percent of the total P13-trillion GDP as Binay insinuated, it would translate to P650 billion this year, a figure Coloma described as simply too much.

“Maybe the data and figures can be studied. It is irresponsible to cite figures and hurl accusations without studying,” he said as he also denied accusations of underspending in the health sector.

Coloma said the “Aquino administration has governed on the basis of open, transparent and accountable government” and that “funds have been used judiciously to attain the objectives of inclusive growth and poverty reduction.”

“Even the international community has recognized the good governance practices of the Aquino administration that have boosted the country’s investment ratings and earned high confidence as a favored investment destination,” he added.

Coloma said it would be easy to tell who is lying when the facts and figures are viewed from the annual budget allocations of agencies.

Garin scolds PPHA for Binay invite

In Iloilo, what appeared to be a regular annual gathering of the Philippine Public Health Association (PPHA) yesterday drew controversy after Health Secretary Janette Garin reprimanded its officers for inviting Binay to speak before 600 delegates yesterday.

Ma. Luisa Orezca, PPHA president, revealed that Garin, former representative of the 1st district of Iloilo, was disappointed and reprimanded her for inviting Binay when Iloilo is a known bailiwick of Senate President Franklin Drilon and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, both leaders of the Liberal Party.

Garin reportedly voiced her disappointment to PPHA for putting Iloilo and the DOH in a bad light by having Binay as speaker, adding that the health department spent for the convention.

Orezca stood her ground though, arguing that the PPHA is an apolitical organization that has no bias for or against any politician.

She added that they also invited other politicians like Roxas, former senator Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela City and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to the two-day event, which started on Wednesday.  – With Jennifer Rendon