Binay asks frat bros for their support

TAGUM CITY, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday appealed to his “brothers” in the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity to support his vision to uplift the lives of every Filipino.

Speaking at the APO’s 8th Mindanao Fellowship lunch at the Apokon Gym here, Binay underscored the fraternity’s significant role in the nation’s development.

The Vice President later spoke to members of another fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi (Alphans), in Mankilam, also in Tagum, before heading to Tagum Energy Park to keynote the 18th National Boy Scouts Jamboree, which drew about 20,000 scouts from 118 councils nationwide.

Binay was accompanied by United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) senatorial candidates boxing champion and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao, sacked police Special Action Force chief Getulio Napeñas, broadcaster Rey Langit, Sulu Sultanate Princess Jacel Kiram and lawyer Allan Montano.

Take care of poor

In his speech to the APO, Binay, clad in a white APO Fellowship shirt, lauded the fraternity for its projects.

“The role of APO has become more meaningful in projects that seek to help those in need,” Binay said.

He called on his fellow APO members to help him attain a government that takes care of the poor and where democracy prevails.

“We want the kind of government that ensures that all segments of society are included in the economic development,” Binay said.

He did not, however, touch on the controversies hounding him.

The Vice President, who joined APO in his college days in the 1960s, told his frat brothers that “we are being called to serve the country and help provide an avenue for the poor.”

“We can achieve genuine and positive change that would pave the way for the improvement of the lives of our countrymen,” he said in Filipino.

“Let’s show our fellow Filipinos a selfless kind of public service,” he added.

Later, Binay refused to grant interviews to the media.

A source in APO said that Binay would be in Tagum until Sunday when he is expected to attend early morning Mass. Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao