On eve of political split, Aquino, Binay bond at Coconut Palace

Published April 19, 2012 4:55pm

Amid speculation of an impending parting of political ways, President Benigno Aquino III on Thursday visited Vice President Jejomar Binay’s office at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City.

Ricky Carandang, head of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office, said it was Binay who invited Aquino to take a look at the vice president's newly renovated office.

“I confirm that the President went to the Coconut Palace after the Sofitel event. However, I don’t think we can call it a meeting. They were onstage together and the Vice President mentioned to the President that he [Aquino] had never been to the Coconut Palace,” Carandang said at a press briefing in Malacañang. Carandang described the visit as more of a social call and nothing else. “Ang sabi nga niya (Aquino), I’ve never been inside Coconut Palace so when the Vice President invited me, I thought it would be time for me to take a look. Yun lang ang sinabi niya.”

On his Twitter account, Binay said: "I gave his excellency a quick tour of the Coconut Palace earlier this morning. It was President Noynoy's first visit." Parting of political ways?

Over the weekend, a Palace official said the parting of political ways between Aquino and Binay is inevitable the May 2013 elections approach. The two highest elected officials of the land belong to different political parties.

Just recently, Binay's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban formed a coalition with former President Joseph Estrada's Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, calling the unity as United Nationalist Alliance. Aquino, meanwhile, chairs the ruling Liberal Party.

But on Monday, Aquino denied that there will be parting of ways between him and Binay.

“Inevitable split [with Binay]? I don’t know if that is inevitable,” Aquino said at a press briefing in Malacañang.

He said he believes that once his administration succeeds in pushing for the growth of the country, politicians would stick with him.

“Assuming nandoon ‘yung economy… judicial system na talagang matino, peace and order mo na tuluy-tuloy—‘yung the last two years na-half ‘yung incidents of crime, sino kayang pulitiko ang tatayo at sasabihin ayaw naming lahat ang nangyaring ‘yan? So ‘yung inevitability ay baka, pero baka hindi,” Aquino said. Abu Dhabi Dialogue

Before going to Coconut Palace, Aquino and Binay attended the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

The event aims to provide a forum for the discussion of new ideas and concrete activities towards the enhancement of bilateral and regional cooperation and partnerships to bring about maximum benefits of labor migration for the people of Asia, including Filipinos.

In his speech, Aquino said the ADD provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss ways of improving the plight of overseas workers.

"This (ADD II) is an excellent opportunity for us, not just to share our visions, or our ideas---but also to listen to what our counterparts have to say. After all, none of our economies grow in a vacuum; and thus, progress comes not from focusing only on our own people, or only on our own growth; it comes from strengthening partnerships, focusing on each others’ growth,” the President said.

“Because if everyone grows, then all our capabilities are enhanced, and all our opportunities are greatly improved; and, in the end, it is all our people who will reap the rewards,” he added. — with Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ/KBK/HS, GMA News

Tags: noynoyaquino, jejomarbinay, unitednationalistalliance,