Vice President Jejomar Binay has warned President Aquino!

While Vice President Jejomar Binay claims he doesn’t mind that President Benigno Aquino III is warming to the idea of a second term, he warned him of “quarters with vested interests.”

“Any national leader would want to hear the voice of the people on issues that will have far-reaching consequences,” Binay, who is likely running in 2016, said in a statement.

“I respect the statement of the President,” Binay added, referring to reports quoting Aquino as saying that he is open to listen to the people on the matter of seeking another term.

Binay stressed, however, that Aquino said his pronouncements do not automatically mean he will seek another term. The 1987 Constitution bars any President from seeking reelection.

“What is important is that the voice he hears is an authentic and genuine voice, not one manufactured by quarters with vested interests who are driven mainly by self-preservation,” Binay said.

The Vice President’s statement comes after Malacanang highlighted public clamor for Aquino to seek a second term despite the latter’s promise early in his administration to step down in 2016.

Rumors have also swirled that the Aquino-led Liberal Party is looking into the possibility of “adopting” Binay as a presidential candidate at the expense of apparent standard-bearer Mar Roxas.

But Senate President Franklin Drilon, a Liberal Party stalwart, has dismissed the rumors, saying there have been no talks between his party and Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance so far.

Binay also allayed fears that along with the idea of seeking second term, the President is also keen on clipping the powers of the Supreme Court, with whose rulings he has recently clashed.

Aquino has openly challenged the high tribunal’s decision to declare the Disbursement Acceleration Program unconstitutional. Some analysts claim his warnings were tantamount to threats of impeachment. 

“I think hindi siya (Aquino) natutuwa, pero kasama ho talaga ‘yan. Check and balances po ‘yan. Separation of power, checks and balances, may kaniya-kaniyang trabaho ‘yan,” Binay said.

Asked to comment on criticism that his trips around the country, including his visit to Sorsogon, may be seen as early campaigning, Binay said, “Ako ay nagtatrabaho rito.”

In his statement, Binay added, “We also need to keep our focus on pursuing our goal of improving the lives of the people for the remainder of the President’s term and beyond.”

But the Vice President was nonchalant about his 2016 ambition. “Naku, matagal ko nang sinabi,” he told reporters, adding that his early proclamations even led to exposes hurled against him.

As for having Interior Secretary Mar Roxas as his running mate, Binay said, “Aba kung mapupunta ho sa pag-uusap. Pero, tingnan natin. Alam mo wala namang imposible sa pulitika.”

Roxas, for his part, has earlier said the Binay-Roxas team-up was unlikely. “Salungat na salungat ang agenda ng UNA sa agenda ng ‘daang matuwid’ na siyang itinataguyod ng LP,” Roxas has said.