Palace hits back at Binay over DAP probe comments

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Wednesday responded to Vice President Jejomar Binay's latest remarks against the Aquino administration.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda hit back at Binay for casting doubts on the sincerity of the Office of the Ombudsman in investigating President Benigno Aquino III and Budget Secretary Butch Abad over the Disbursement Acceleration Program.

"Natatawa ako. How do we say this? Vice President Binay when he is being investigated by the Senate said bring it to the proper court. 'Nung dinala sa Ombudsman, binanatan ang Ombudsman," Lacierda said.

Lacierda said Binay should let the Office of the Ombudsman do its job.

"Abogado siya, huwag niyang pangunahan kung anong gagawin ng Ombudsman," he said.

He added that Binay is only attacking the administration to advance his presidential ambition.

"This is just part of his 'nega' campaign against the administration, so we are not surprised," he said.

Lacierda also lashed back at Binay for blaming the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) over the traffic mess in Metro Manila.

Binay reportedly accused the DILG of blocking road maintenance projects worth P322 million.

Lacierda maintained that Binay had five years as a Cabinet member to help the administration in solving the traffic problem.

"As vice president, he could have asked his fellow Cabinet members or offered solutions. None of those times that he has ever mentioned," he said.