MANILA, Philippines - After President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said he is free to leave the cabinet, Vice President Jejomar Binay maintained he will not resign.
"I have the highest respect for President Aquino and I will continue to be a team player," Binay said in a statement released hours after the president's remarks.
At the Philippine Business Conference last October 23, Binay criticized the administration for its embarrassing performance in resolving the worsening traffic, impending power crisis, high importation of rice and deterioration of peace and order in the country.
“If the Vice President did say those things, then there are just two things we need to remember. Number one, if he thinks we aren’t doing enough, then he should advise us how can we improve the system? He is a member of the Cabinet. And if he thinks our direction is wrong, then he is also free to no longer join our movement," Aquino said Monday in a televised interview in Laguna.
The president said that as second highest government official, the Vice President has an obligation to contribute solutions for these problems.
Aquino also said, however, that he is contented with Binay's performance as housing czar and Presidential Assistant on OFW affairs.