VICE President Jejomar Binay has always been vocal about his criticisms against neophyte leaders seeking higher office. In fact, in his latest speech during the launch of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Wednesday, Binay took a swipe anew at potential rivals in 2016 who supposedly lacked political experience.
“Ang UNA ay hindi samahan ng mga palpak at manhid… Sa pagharap sa mga problema ng bayan, may sapat na karanasan at hindi bagitong mag-aaral pa lang sa pamamahala at pagsisilbi sa bayan,” the Vice President said.
Senator Grace Poe, a first-term senator who topped the 2013 senatorial race as an independent candidate, dislodged long-time frontrunner Binay in recent presidential polls.
Incidentally, the Vice President’s daughter Sen. Nancy Binay has been severely criticized for supposed inexperience when she was elected in 2013.
But for suspended Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, the case of her sister cannot be compared with Poe’s.
“Eh ano bang tinatakbuhan ni Grace? Hindi naman senador ang tinatakbuhan niya. Bakit mo sasabihin na walang experience ‘yung kapatid ko eh katulong naman siya ng tatay ko,” Junjun said in an interview with ANC Headstart.
However, Poe, who served as chairperson of the Movie and Television Regulation and Classification Board from 2010 to 2012, has not yet announced her political plans in 2016.
The suspended mayor said her sister’s stint as personal assistant to their parents, who both served as mayors of Makati, can go a long way.
“Well, tinignan niya (Nancy) kung paano magtrabaho ‘yung tatay ko, what it’s like working in the government, so hindi natin pwedeng sabihin na walang experience,” Binay added. With a report from Mary Gillan Frances Ropero, INQUIRER.net trainee