Binay says he’s ready for Roxas-Poe tandem in 2016
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay is anticipating a tandem of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and Senator Grace Poe in the 2016 presidential elections.
Binay, who was in Negros Occidental for what appeared as a three-day campaign sortie, said he was unfazed by the Roxas-Poe tandem because he was confident of his victory since the Filipinos would vote for someone who had the capability, experience and love for country.
While President Benigno Aquino said he was “closer” to making his decision on whom to endorse for president in the 2016 elections, Binay said he believed a decision had already been made.
He pointed out that the administration Liberal Party has been releasing information to the media about a possible Roxas-Poe tandem in trickles for days.
“I believe there are results already. They are just dribbling public opinion so that their decision can become acceptable,” he said.
But Binay was confident of his victory, saying the issue in the next election should be about qualification.
He pointed out that a teacher could not become a supervisor or principal without experience or an apprentice could not become a president of a big corporation.
In his case, he added, he has proven his ability to run the executive department when he was mayor of Makati City.
Binay, however, didn’t specify who between Roxas and Poe would face him in the 2016 presidential polls.
Most local officials in the province, however, have endorsed Roxas for president. His mother has roots in Negros Occidental.
They credited Roxas for the creation of the Negros Island Region comprised of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, which had been pushed by officials of both provinces.
Binay, however, said he didn’t believe that Negros Occidental was solid behind Roxas due to the “warm” response he received when going around Bacolod.
He added he went to Negros Occidental to conduct consultations on whom to field as his candidate for governor.
Binay visited the bagsakan (unloading center) or fish port at Sitio Sibucao in Barangay Banago here about noon on Thursday. He was with former actress Alma Moreno, chairman of the Councilors League of the Philippines; human rights lawyer Harry Roque; and former Rep. Danilo Suarez.
The vice president kept the crowd of about 100 in stitches with his promises – from false teeth, male diapers to Viagra.
The crowd dressed in yellow waved red, white and blue flaglets as a band played in the background.
Binay promised to replicate what he had done to Makati City in the country.
When he was mayor of Makati City, he said his budget for senior citizens was P150 million that allowed them to see movies for free everyday, free cakes on their birthdays and free burial.
After his speech, he joined the crowd in eating lunch boodle fight style, something he had been doing in every provincial sortie.
