Binay’s Camp Slams US Think Tank Report

(PNA) – The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay slammed a US think tank report that reduced the 2016 presidential race to a fight between “continuity” and “change.”

In a press statement, Binay’s media affairs chief Joey Salgado described the report as oversimplifying choice for the people in the 2016 election.

“It’s not simply continuity versus change, but the continuity of policies that prejudice the poor and favors the rich,” Salgado said.

“We need a change towards an economic policy that gives jobs and food for the poor; ensures greater transparency, accountability and equal application of the law regardless of political ties; and guarantees and protects the exercise of democratic rights,” he added.

In an Aug. 7 commentary, New York-based think tank Global Source reported that the 2016 election would likely be a fight between candidates who will continue the current administration’s “Daang Matuwid” policy and those who will seek changes.

In previous interviews, Binay said he would advance the good policies and programs of the President Benigno Aquino III but do away with those that do not benefit the people.

Among those that he will continue is the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Program, but he said it needs to be reformed and purged of unqualified beneficiaries.

Binay also said aside from improving the implementation of the program, the government should pursue a clear program to generate jobs for the poor.

The Vice President said while the country’s economic indicators have gone up, the numbers “conceal the painful truth” that growth has benefited only a handful. (PNA) RMA/JFM