MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino and Binay families are said to be close, but some people have observed, President-elect Benigno Aquino III seems to be distancing himself from vice president-elect Jejomar Binay.
Aquino's sister, Pinky Aquino-Abellada admitted that this is out of consideration for Aquino's running mate, Senator Mar Roxas.
Roxas had his eyes on running for president but backed out to give way to Aquino. He was also focused on helping Aquino win the presidential race and neglected his own campaign, allowing Binay to catch up and eventually win the vice-presidency by around 720,000 votes.
Pinky believes Binay's family will understand the incoming president's position.
She hopes that in due time, the relations between the two will improve.
"I'm sure naintindihan rin naman yun ng mga Binay," she said. "I hope magkausap-usap din, pag medyo, you know, mas malamig-lamig na yung situation."
She said that they hope the issue won’t get bigger, and that the two would soon talk “for the good of the country.”
Aquino-Abellada was in Negros Occidental with her sister, Ballsy Aquino-Cruz. They distributed school supplies to students of E. B. Magalona Elementary School. Actor Coco Martin accompanied them.
While in Negros Occidental, Ballsy confirmed there are some Negrenses who have been invited to be part of the incoming Aquino administration.
These include former Governor Daniel "Bitay” Lacson Jr. of Negros Occidental.
Ballsy and Pinky also attended a mass, along with some Carmelite nuns, and members of the so-called Yellow Army. The local residents warmly received the Aquino sisters. Report from Marty Go, ABS-CBN Bacolod