A PALACE official said on Saturday that Malacañang distanced itself from the move of Senator Grace Poe to sign the partial report of the Senate subcommittee recommending plunder and graft charges against Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said: "Perhaps at this time it's best to ask the Vice President's spokesperson - his spokespersons - about that particular question."
The Senate blue ribbon subcommittee has been conducting an investigation over the alleged overpriced Makati car park building and other projects in the city when the Vice President was still its mayor.
The Court of Appeals has also granted the petition of the Anti-Money Laundering Council freezing the more than 200 bank and financial accounts of the Vice President, his family members and associates.
Valte also declined to comment when asked if the corruption allegations against Binay have already been affecting his work as a member of the Cabinet.
"Kung nakakaapekto po siya doon...medyo personal na pong tanong 'yon para doon sa ating Bise Presidente, at siguro po mas magandang sila na po 'yung sumagot 'non," she said.
Binay is the chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers' Concerns.
Asked on Binay's relation now with President Benigno Aquino III and the other members of the Cabinet, Valte said, "‘Yung ‘pag umaalis ang Pangulong Aquino, he attends the arrival ceremonies and the departure ceremonies. And not that I’ve noticed but, you know, they have a very little chance to talk ‘pag sa mga ganitong mga event.
"I do not recall yet a recent meeting that the Vice President has sat in dito...wala pa naman pong mga housing issues. Kasi, siyempre, ang Vice President natin (deals with) more or less for housing and OFWs. So wala pa naman pong ibang ganoong meeting in the current and in the last few weeks." (SDR)