VP Binay assures Aquino of Marines’ support
Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday assured President Benigno Aquino III of the Philippine Marinesâ continued support to his administration. Binay, a reserved Marine colonel, said the Marine corps continue to back Aquino, their commander-in-chief, despite a call from retired Naval Reserve deputy commander Col. Generoso Mariano for a change in government. âThe sentiment of Col. Mariano is not shared by the leadership and men of the Marine Corps," he said in a statement sent to the media. Binay issued the statement after Mariano, in a video recorded on July 3, said soldiers were reeling from the relentless rise in the costs of goods, medicine and food, and they can see the inability of government to put up measures to alleviate hunger. The military officer, who retired on Sunday, is currently confined to quarters while the Philippine Navy is conducting its investigation on the incident. Former Marine Col. Arnel Querubin, however, said that Marianoâs statements were taken out of context. He clarified that Mariano, who he described as his friend, never called for Aquinoâs ouster. Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte, for her part, on Sunday accused the camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of being behind Marianoâs supposed call for Aquinoâs removal from office. â Andreo Calonzo/VS, GMA News