Binay: I was a good mayor; I have never been convicted

Vice President Jejomar Binay.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

“I think I was a good mayor,” said Vice President Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has been the subject of an investigation by the Senate in connection with corruption allegations when he was still the mayor of Makati City.

Binay was the longtime mayor of the city until he was elected Vice President in 2010.

“I gave the things that made our city. Pero, nakabitan ako ng ganiyang mga demolition by perception. Kaya’t hanggang ngayon ‘pag sinabing corruption, ‘Binay corruption,'” he said during a press conference in Bacolod City Thursday.

(I gave the things that made our city. But there is now a demolition by perception against me. That’s why until now, when you say corruption, you think “Binay corruption.”)

“Sasabihin ko lang.  Lagi ko na lang sinasabihan iyong mga nagsasabi, na corrupt, corrupt, Binay, alam mo ba, na kahit saku-sako ang inihabla sa akin, kahit na anong haba ang investigation ng Senate, hindi po ako nakatikim ng suspension.”

(I just have to say this, I always tell those people saying Binay is corrupt that you know, even if you file sacks of cases against me, even if you have a long list of evidence against me, I have never been suspended.)

“Never. And I had never been convicted. I was already [prejudged] because of the accusations,” Binay added.

READ: Binay: I’m an innovator, but not corrupt

The Vice President earlier said that he might have probably made a mistake when he announced early his presidential bid in 2016.

READ: ‘Mistaken’ Binay says he won’t withdraw from 2016 polls

So far, he is the only candidate who has publicly declared his intention to run for president next year.

Asked if he regrets his decision to declare early his presidential bid, Binay said: “Hindi naman (Not really).”

“Iyon lang ay, aaminin ko, siguro mali, pero sa palagay ko hindi naman, Kasi kung hindi naman ako nagdeklara ng aking pagkandidato, hindi  naman ako sinasabing tiyak na mananalo, hindi naman siguro ako babanggain ng mga ‘yan,” he said.

(I’ll just admit that maybe it was wrong because if I did not declare my candidacy, I’m not saying that I am sure of my victory, but maybe they would not oppose me.)

Binay admitted that even when he was young, he already dreamed of becoming the President of the Philippines.

He reiterated that the next leader of the country should be competent and has experience.

“Kasi alam mo iyong kakayahan, eh kung pangit naman ang karanasan mo, puro palpak, tulad sa MRT. In other words, kailangan, specifically, may executive ability,” he further said.

(The thing with experience is if it’s not good, you will only fail like the MRT. In other words, you need an exclusive ability.) IDL