LIBERAL Party presidential bet Manuel Roxas II on Thursday described Vice President Jejomar Binay as an “expert of graft and corruption” because he had repeatedly failed to answer the graft charges against him.
“[Vice President Jejomar Binay] knows how to differentiate [between] graft and corruption,” Roxas told reporters.
“We should leave to the experts the manner of explaining how graft and corruption works. It’s good that he explained everything—maybe he has a personal experience on that. It’s a mortal sin against God and we won’t allow that.”
Roxas also slammed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte for approving of “summary justice” and favoring the revival of the death penalty.
“I cannot agree on summary justice,” Roxas said.
“Like right is might? Whoever has a gun can shoot a person? It’s like we’re returning to the dark ages wherein the powerful and those who have guns can rule.”
Duterte, who has openly admitted to pulling the trigger on criminals, says he believes the country needs the death penalty to punish wrongdoers such as those who peddle illegal drugs.
“If I were president, I would bring back the death penalty for crimes like drugs, rape, and kidnapping,” Duterte told dzMM radio on Thursday.
Binay, who is facing graft charges in connection with the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II, told students of Silliman University in Bacolod that “graft” and “corruption” were not the same.
“Graft is about the abusive use of power; corruption is about mishandling money,” Binay said.
Roxas said Binay was trying to muddle up the issues against him.
“Vice President Jejomar Binay must be confused because of all the corruption cases against him. He insists on steering the conversation to other topics,” Roxas said.
He urged Binay to refrain from confusing the public by answering the allegations against him head on instead of spreading rumors against the Aquino administration.
“I think it’s best if he just answers… the allegations of corruption during his time as Makati mayor,” Roxas said.