MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay has raised the lack of specifics in the United States’ statement over the Spratlys issue.

“Sabi nila, kami ay tutulong. Kaya lang walang binigay na specifics. Para bang, bahala na kayo mag-interpret. Basta, kami ay tutulong. Hindi namin iiwanan ang Pilipinas,” he said upon arriving from the US for a two-week educational program.

Despite this, Binay remains confident that the issue would not restrain the relations between the country and China.

“Di naman dapat maging cause ng conflict ang Spratlys, pero di rin naman dapat tayo magpabaya sa ginagawa ng China,” Binay said.

The Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas Rajah Humabon was recently deployed there following China’s move to send its largest maritime patrol ship.

“Sa palagay ko naman, mapag-uusapan ito at hindi naman hahantong sa hindi mabuting relasyon ng Pilipinas at China. Nag-uusap-usap naman ang mga pamahalaan d’yan,” Binay said.

Asked if the Filipinos in the US have expressed alarm over the tensions in Spratlys, Binay said they are more concerned of the passage of the Save Our Industries Act in the US Congress.

This will allow the country to export apparel products into the US. It is seen to revive the clothing industry in the Philippines.

Binay attended a 2-week international program on housing finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chairman was on board PAL flight PR 103.

Binay said he will use what he learned in the US to further improve HUDCC programs.

He said he also took the opportunity to urge new investors to come to the Philippines and do business here.

He also thanked overseas Filipino workers for their contributions to the country’s economy through their remittances.