Palace sees no problem with Binay, Roxas in govt

Malacañang is confident that Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Senator Manuel “Mar" Roxas II will have a healthy relationship in the Aquino administration despite being rivals in last year’s vice presidential race. Roxas, who will serve as President Benigno Aquino III’s chief of staff starting June 1, has filed an electoral protest against Binay with the Supreme Court. But according to deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, Binay himself had assured them that there will be a harmonious relationship between him and Roxas. “We all work for one team," Valte said on Sunday. Valte said there is no need for Aquino to appeal to both parties to cooperate, and to remind them that they work for and with the same President. “So far there has been no problem," she said. Roxas was Aquino’s running-mate in the May 2010 elections. The administrative order defining Roxas’ functions is expected to come out soon. Aquino has earlier said Roxas’ tasks will include representing him in functions that he cannot attend to because of his hectic schedule. The Palace said last week that Roxas’ presence in Malacañang and in presidential functions showed that he is easing himself into his new job. — KBK, GMA News