President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has expressed hope that Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay will still reconsider his decision not to accept any Cabinet post, revealing that he has reserved a post that is appropriate for him – heading a special commission that will put closure on unresolved issues, particularly anomalies in the Arroyo administration.

This was disclosed by Aquino during an interview with reporters at the sidelines of the 349th celebration of the Araw ng Maynila at the historic landmark Manila Hotel Thursday night where the President-elect was honored as Outstanding Manilan for Public Service.

“(Binay) is a lawyer and we expect charges to be filed with all the investigations we will be undertaking. He has a long track record on human rights, not the Commission on Human Rights, I want to make that clear,” Aquino said.

While Aquino remains hopeful, Binay has remained firm on his refusal to accept any Cabinet post.

Binay was a member of the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity, and Nationalism, Inc. (MABINI), a group of lawyers who helped human rights victims seek justice during the Marcos administration.

“One of our platforms is judicial reform, specifically the commission we are creating to put closure on issues that are pending. And he will lead it,” he stressed..

Aquino said when he and Binay met for the first time at his Times Street residence, he said there were several points that were discussed.

“In his view, he will not accept any Cabinet position in the meantime. I made a suggestion to him, I told him many people say this role fits you. I hope you’d reflect on it well. If you change your mind, there’s still time,” the President-elect said.

“In that light, he vowed his support for me will not change and I thank the Vice President for that,” he added.

Aquino said putting closure on unresolved issues would be a major achievement for his administration.

“In our country, we have a conviction rate of only 18 percent. There is no big fish. The bigger the fish, the harder to investigate,” Aquino said.

“If he comes in and manages to prove and send to jail those who are guilty, that would be a major achievement. It is a radical departure from the usual mold of operations in the country,” he said.

During Binay’s visit on Times Street, Aquino offered him Cabinet post at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC). Binay politely turned down all offers.

Binay had earlier expressed his preference for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) post. Aquino, however, reportedly had apprehensions over letting Binay supervise local government officials.

It was reported that the DILG post will likely be given to Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo who is a Liberal Party member and a close ally of Aquino. (With a report from Czarina Nicole O. Ong)