Binay-Roxas tandem for 2016? Why not, says Nancy Binay

MANILA,  Philippines—Senator Nancy Binay did not rule out on Tuesday a Binay-Roxas tandem for the 2016 elections amid the reported possible coalition between the administration’s Liberal Party  (LP) and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

The Binay-Roxas tandem she was referring to was the possible alliance between her father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas.

The Vice President has publicly declared his intention to run for president while Roxas is being pushed by the LP to be its bet in 2016.

“If it will help our country why not?” Senator Binay said when asked if a Binay-Roxas tandem was possible in the 2016 elections.

“Ang tanong na lang is kung willing si Secretary Mar Roxas to run for vice president again kasi parang ‘yung Daddy ko hindi na sya ulit tatakbo for vice president,” Senator  Binay  told reporters.

(The only question is whether Secretary Mar Roxas is willing to run for vice president again  because I think my Daddy won’t run again for vice president)

Told that Roxas may be insulted if he would run as Binay’s running mate, the senator said: “Ang alin? Ang pagiging VP, hindi naman ‘di ba? ‘Yun ang position ng Daddy ko ngayon…Bakit magiging insult ‘yun?”

Vice President Jejomar Binay and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

(By what? By being VP? That’s my dad’s position right now. Why will that be an insult to him?)

Senator Binay said Roxas can make another sacrifice again, this time, by sliding down and giving way to the Vice President.

“He (Roxas) made that sacrifice during the 2010 elections, who knows he can make another sacrifice?”  she said.

The senator was referring to Roxas’ decision to slide down and give way to now President Benigno Aquino III during the 2010 elections. At that time, Roxas was eyeing the presidency but decided to run later on as Aquino’s running mate. He lost to Vice President Binay.

Talks of a possible coalition between the UNA and the LP came out after the Vice  President  reportedly claimed that he was being considered by the LP to be its standard-bearer.

But Senate President Franklin Drilon, vice chairman of LP, quickly denied the Vice President’s claim.

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