Palace: Gov’t focused on reforms, not politics

MANILA, Philippines - The administration remains focused on carrying out reforms and will not be distracted by politics in the last 23 months of President Aquino’s term, a Palace official said yesterday.

“The administration is not giving priority to political issues,” Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said in Filipino.

Coloma issued the statement amid insinuations that Aquino’s mention of Vice President Jejomar Binay in his State of the Nation Address could mean that he is endorsing him in the 2016 presidential elections.

On the 2015 budget that the executive branch submitted to Congress, Coloma said the Palace will not influence lawmakers, especially regarding funding programs in their respective districts.

He said the administration is committed to the principle of adhering to the straight path that the Aquino government has been espousing for the last four years.

Malacañang will not politicize the budget approval and will use the 2015 national budget to improve the lives of the people.

Critics have said the administration may use the huge allocation from the national budget for political ends.

Meanwhile, Vice President Jejomar Binay vowed yesterday to remain focused on his work.

He said he would not be distracted by the negative issues being raised by his detractors.

A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that Binay retained high trust and approval ratings during the second quarter of the year.