MANILA, Philippines - Is Vice President Jejomar Binay an ally or foe of the Aquino administration?
Malacañang skirted this question on Monday, saying the answer should come from Binay himself.
"I think that will be up to the vice president to say. Does he consider [himself as our ally?]" Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a televised press briefing after Binay postponed a national address scheduled this afternoon.
Binay is currently in hot water after being accused of rigging public biddings in Makati City and earning 13-percent kickbacks from every project, including a costly parking building of the city hall.
He was supposed to clear himself in his speech today, but decided to visit areas hit by Typhoon "Luis."
Despite these allegations of corruption, Lacierda recognized Binay's claim that he supports the reform agenda of the President.
"But there are some areas where they disagree with," Lacierda said.
Binay did not attend Aquino's agenda-setting dialogue in Malacañang with administration allies on Friday. Lacierda said he has no knowledge as to why the vice president was not invited to the event.
In his speech, Aquino said those who were not with them on that day had principles "inherently opposed" to theirs.