PNoy to VP Binay: Give right facts in counter-SONA

President Benigno Aquino III on Monday challenged Vice President Jejomar Binay to stick to the facts when he delivers his speech countering Aquino's State of the Nation Address (SONA) later in the afternoon.

"One would hope he would honor his pledge to serve people, and part of that is giving them the right information," Aquino told reporters ahead of Binay's speech.

The President nevertheless said that his critics are "free to speak their minds."

Aquino also maintained that the facts he presented in his sixth and final state address before Congress last week depicted the Philippines' true state.

"Walang akong tradisyon o record na nagsisinungaling kanino man. I stand by what I said," he said.

Binay, whose expected run for the presidency next year is being hounded by allegations of corruption, has resigned from Aquino's Cabinet and since then has become a critic of the administration. —KBK, GMA News