United Nationalist Alliance presidential candidate Vice President Jejomar delivers his speech during the campaign bid at Nueve de Pebrero, Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. LYN RILLON
Vice President Jejomar Binay criticized President Benigno Aquino III for his failure to handle the Mamasapano crisis in his speech at his proclamation rally on Tuesday.
Speaking before a crowd of slum-dwellers at Welfareville compound in Mandaluyong city, Binay said the country needed a leader who was not hiding at the height of a major crisis.
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Binay seemed to be referring to President Aquino who had washed his hands off the botched raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, last year which left 44 Special Action Force (SAF) policemen dead.
“Kailangan natin ng isang pangulo na hindi umiiwas, hindi nananahimik, hindi nagtatago katulad nung mangyari ang Mamasapano, hindi naninisi, at hindi nalilito sa panahon ng krisis,” Binay said.
Binay also seemed to have taken a swipe at Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas, who Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said was dazed and confused when he was in Tacloban at the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in 2013.
The Vice President said the country needed someone who had genuine concern for the poor and marginalized.
“Ang kailangan natin ay isang pangulo na tunay na kumakalinga sa mahihirap,” Binay said.
He said poverty remained prevalent even after six years of the Aquino administration.
“Matatandaang sa simula ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, ipinangako sa atin na sa loob ng anim na taon ay mawawala na ang kahirapan. Nakakahiya,” Binay said.
“Halos anim na taon na ang lumipas, ngunit hanggang ngayon, lubhang napakailap pa rin ng kasaganahan sa maraming Pilipino,” he added.
When he was accused of committing graft and corruption while he was Makati City mayor, Binay said he got his strength from the poor.
“Sa loob ng maraming taon, lalong lalo na sa nakalipas na mag-aanim na taon, sa inyo ako kumuha ng lakas upang harapin ang lahat ng batikos, panglalait, panghahamak sa akin at paninira,” Binay said. RC
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