It's nobody but Binay

MANILA, Philippines – Nobody but Vice President Jejomar C. Binay should be the “chief troubleshooter” (CT) of the Aquino administration, his political party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said Wednesday.

In Malacañang, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said his functions will not be affected should unsuccessful vice-presidential candidate Manual “Mar” Roxas II be appointed as “chief troubleshooter” of the Aquino administration as his role is defined by law.

In its official Facebook page, PDP-Laban said the title should belong to Binay being the second highest official in the land and not to the former senator, who President Benigno S. Aquino III said will be “one of his chief troubleshooters” once the one-year ban for losing candidates in the May 2010 polls ends.

“When P-Noy (Aquino) said that Mar Roxas would be ‘Chief Troubleshooter’, what does this exactly mean? two archbishops from Cebu reacted with this statement and raised fears that the ‘CT’ might be more powerful or influential than Vice President Jejomar Binay or other Cabinet members. We wouldn't want this to happen,” PDP-Laban said.

A supporter of PDP-Laban's official Facebook page said Binay should be given the title of “CT.”

This was seconded by the party chaired by Binay.

“VP Binay must be chief troubleshooter as he is the second highest elected official in the land,” PDP-Laban said.

Binay, who defeated Roxas in the vice presidential race in the May, 2010 elections, had been tight-lipped about Roxas' impending appointment in the Cabinet.

Roxas, who has questioned Binay's win, is viewed to be one of the Vice President's biggest rivals for the presidency in 2016.

Malacañang earlier said that it sees no problem having Binay and Roxas at the same time in the Cabinet despite their political differences, citing that the two have a similar goal, which is pushing for the country's welfare.

Binay is currently the Presidential Adviser for Overseas Filipino Workers' Concerns and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council chairman.

Aquino had said that he “is no superman who could do everything for the nation,” which is why he needs the help of people he can rely on, like his unsuccessful running mate in the 2010 polls, in running the country.

Some sectors, including Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo and Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez had expressed concern that Roxas could wield tremendous influence in Malacañang.

“Walang magbabago sa setup [The setup will not change]. In the first place, the functions of the Executive Secretary are already mandated by law,” Ochoa said Thursday over Radyo ng Bayan.

“There’s no harm if eventually after the [election] ban, he will be part of the Cabinet. Ever since we started off, we welcome all kinds of help we can get because the presidency is a Herculean task,” he said.

“The President cannot solve everything within the span of six years… The President saw the expertise of Mar Roxas,” Ochoa added.

Meanwhile, Joey Salgado, Binay’s spokesperson, said the Vice President can work with anyone “for as long as the President fulfills his campaign promise to the people.”

“Political loyalties should give way to the more urgent task of restoring of the people’s trust in government and restoring the dignity of the citizens. Trabaho muna, walang pulitika,” Salgado said.

source: mb.com.ph/