Binay Christmas wish: Ceasefire with political foes

For his Christmas wish, presidential candidate and Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday called for a “ceasefire” with his political foes.

“Ang Christmas wish ko? Alam mo, peace, unang-una pinanganak ang ating Panginoong Hesu Kristo. So sa atin, pwede ba ho tigilan na ang paninira, tigilan na ho yung pagsisinungaling, tigilan na ho yung nagpe-personalan, doon ho sa pagkakahati-hati. Kita mo naman, yung NPA may ceasefire pati ang pamahalaan. Sana sa larangan ng politika may ceasefire din. [Laughs] Dapat ang magprevail ay peace,” he said in an ambush interview in General Santos.

(My Christmas wish? Peace first of all as our Lord Jesus is born. So, can we stop the muckraking, the lies, personal attacks, disunity. Even the government and the NPA observe a ceasefire. I hope even in politics there’s a ceasefire. Peace should prevail.)

His statement comes as presidential candidates trade barbs months ahead of the official campaign period in February.

Binay did not comment when asked if he was referring to the word war between presidential bets administration-backed candidate Mar Roxas and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

The vice president said he was was referring to all national and local candidates.

“Mula sa national hanggang sa local, kung magkikita ay magkamayan, magyakapan at sama-sama sa pagdarasal (From national to local, they should shake hands, embrace each other and join one another in prayer),” he said.

Binay shared he plans to stay in Makati for the holidays and visit patients in the hospital.

“Sa Makati, nandoon lang ako. Ugaling-ugali ko nga na puntahan ang mga may sakit kapag Pasko. Pumupunta sa ospital para makibahagi naman sa Pasko ng mga pasyente. So, hindi ho ako umaalis (I will stay in Makati on Christmas day. I usually visit hospital patients to share Christmas with them. I won’t leave town),” he said. AU