Palace on Binay: Voters must reject gutter-level politicians

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday urged voters to reject "gutter-level" politicians as it denied involvement in the supposed "demolition by perception" campaign against Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Aquino administration is upholding the rule of law and is focused on implementing reforms and achieving inclusive and long-term growth.

"President Aquino has called for a high level of political discourse that is platform- and not personality-based," Coloma said in an e-mail to reporters.

"We trust that the Filipino people will join us in this advocacy and shun those that engage in the discredited ways of gutter-level partisan politics," he added.

Coloma's remarks were a reaction to Binay's statement that the government has resumed a "demolition by perception" and alleged sinister plan to disqualify and send him to jail.

Binay and his family have been the subject of a year-long Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation on allegedly overpriced projects in Makati.

Plunder complaints have been filed against him over accusations that he amassed kickbacks from the projects being probed.

The allegations have pulled down the ratings of Binay, who resigned from the Aquino Cabinet in June.

Binay will face administration standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II and Sen. Grace Poe in he 2016 presidential election. - Louis Bacani