Binay: UNA won't make Aquino lameduck president

VICE President Jejomar Binay, one of the pillars of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said his coalition is not eyeing to make President Benigno Aquino III a lameduck leader before he steps down from power in 2016.

"Our support (for the President) is there. We are the new opposition—an opposition who will be supportive of matters which the President is undertaking," he told reporters Thursday, adding they will not hesitate in calling the government's attention if a perceived mistake is committed.

Binay made the reaction after Senator Franklin Drilon and Palace spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said UNA is seeking control of the Senate after the May midterm elections to complicate the legislative agenda of President Aquino.

By dismissing the rumor, Binay said some quarters are just trying to create a wedge between him and the President.

Earlier, Aquino told reporters at the end of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that he does not have any "issues" with the Vice President.

"I think the President was clear in his statement. We don't have conflicting issues at this point and he is satisfied with the manner by which I am working," said Binay, who is Aquino's adviser on migrant workers welfare and head of the housing program.

For his part, UNA secretary general Toby Tiangco advised Drilon to avoid repeating the phrase "lame duck president" unless he wants the people to believe it.

"It could be self-fulfilling," he said.

Meanwhile, Binay downplayed claims of administration officials that UNA is taking advantage of the President's popularity to boost the chances of its senatorial candidates in the coming elections.

"In the first place, mataas din naman ang aking survey, lalo na pag pinagsama mo ang survey ni Jojo Binay, at tsaka ni Senator (Juan Ponce) Enrile, tsaka ni President Erap (Joseph Estrada), kaming mga UNA leaders" the Vice President said.

San Juan Representative JV Ejercito said that UNA candidates like him are presenting as alternatives to the administration ticket backed by the ruling Liberal Party.

"The Senate is the people's fiscalizer and pulse, and as such is better to remain independent than a rubber stamp. Nobody has a monopoly on who can say has the right, who is capable, or who loves the country," he said. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)