VP Binay not interested in DILG chief post

Count Vice President Jejomar Binay out as among those aspiring for the post left vacant by the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.  On Tuesday, Binay told reporters that he won't accept the vacant position of Interior secretary if ever it is offered to him by President Benigno Aquino III.

 

"Hindi na po...marami akong tatapusin doon sa ipinagkatiwala sa akin ni Pangulong Noynoy. So, iyong iba na lamang po, at marami pa namang qualified diyan," Binay told reporters in an interview.

 

He issued the statement right after Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that he and Senator Panfilo Lacson would make good DILG secretaries.

 

Aside from them, among those whose names are being floated as possible replacements for Robredo are Rep. Jun Abaya, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas and Albay Gov. Joey Salceda. All three are members of Aquino's Liberal Party.

 

And although he had previously said he wanted the DILG portfolio, Binay on Tuesday said these officials are all capable of handling the post.

 

"Panay qualified iyan. Panay kaibigan, panay kakilala ko iyan. Bahala na lang si Pangulo kung sinong mapipili niya," he said.

 

Binay added that he has a lot on his plate right now with the other duties given to him by Aquino.

 

"Inatasan po akong trabahuhin ang maraming bagay ni Pangulong Noynoy. Nandiyan po ang sa shelter sector, sa illegal recruitment at human smuggling.  So, tatapusin ko na muna ang dapat tapusin dito sa ipinapagawa sa akin ni Pangulo," he said.

 

Binay chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, the Presidential Task Force Against Illegal Recruitment, and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking. He is also presidential adviser on overseas Filipino worker (OFW) concerns.

 

Binay was first elected Makati mayor in 1988 and went on to serve until 1995. In 1998, he was named chair of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) by President Joseph Estrada.

 

From 1998 to 2001, his wife Elenita served as mayor of the city. In 2001, Binay was again elected as mayor and went on to win two more terms during the 2004 and 2007 elections.  

 

Two years ago, Binay said that if he were to be offered a Cabinet position, he would like to head the DILG. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News