Aquino: I did not offer help to Binay

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday refuted the claim of Vice President Jejomar Binay's spokesperson that he offered help to his beleaguered alter-ego.

In a forum with foreign press correspondents, Aquino said Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla "had it in reverse" when he claimed that the President asked how he can help Binay.

"The Vice President... was asking advice for instance on what to do. So I did not offer to help. He asked for advice on how to handle the situation amongst other things," Aquino said at the Presidential Forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

During their private meeting last week in Bahay Pangarap, Aquino recalled Binay asking him if it was possible to stop the Senate Blue Ribbon Sub-Committee investigation into the corruption allegations that he is facing.

Aquino said he told Binay that he would inquire with Senate President Franklin Drilon.

Pressed on whether he did offer help to Binay, Aquino said the Vice President was the one who initiated the meeting.

On Monday, Aquino shared to the media what transpired in the meeting. Following his disclosure, Remulla claimed that the President offered help to Binay and asked about his family.

"[The] Vice President replied the family is hurting from all the lies and baseless accusations, especially his wife, Dr. Elenita Binay. At this point the President asked how he can help or "paano ako makakatulong?" Remulla said in a statement.

But Aquino said it was Binay who volunteered the information regarding his family during their meeting.

The President had said he will not castigate Binay despite the allegations hounding him since he has performed well as Cabinet member.

Aquino said he assured Binay that the administration will not support manufactured evidence against him.

"At the end of the day, 'yun na nga, sabi ko sa kanya, the truth will come out; and between the two of us, you will know what the truth is so, you will know what will be coming out," Aquino told reporters in Leyte.