Malacañang's birthday wish for Binay: Good health, long life

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is wishing Vice President Jejomar Binay long life and good health for his 72nd birthday, which he celebrated on Monday.

“Happy birthday to the Vice President. We wish that you enjoy your birthday, your special day. [We are wishing you] longer life and good health,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said when asked for Malacañang’s birthday wish for Binay, who is also a member of the cabinet.

When asked to react to Binay’s wish for an end to a campaign to smear his reputation, Valte said the question should be posed to those whom he thinks is behind the propaganda against him.

“I really can’t say much about it owing to the fact that, we have said this time and again, that we have nothing to do with what is happening and we have more than enough in our plate to engage in extraneous activity,” Valte said.

Despite the differences between Binay and some administration allies, Malacañang believes that President Aquino and the Vice President can still work “when they need to.”

“The president has already said what he has to say on the matter. From what I remember, the Vice President attended the last cabinet meeting on (typhoon) ‘Yolanda.” It was as expected. They work when they need to,” Valte said.

Earlier, the President said Binay is free to leave the Cabinet if he is no longer satisfied with the way things are being run.

Aquino made the statement after Binay criticized the administration’s way of handling the looming power crisis, criminality, and the Metro Manila traffic congestion.

Binay, who serves as chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers, said he continues to respect the President and vowed to remain a “team player.”

Binay, who has declared his intention to run for President in 2016, has been tagged in allegedly overpriced projects like the Makati City Hall building and Makati Science High School Building.

Political rivals also claimed that the Binay family owns a farm estate in Rosario, Batangas.

Binay has maintained that he never stole public funds and dismissed the allegations as black propaganda.