Binay vows to stamp out criminality by ending poverty

Vice President Jejomar Binay: Criminality a byproduct of poverty. MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net

SAN PEDRO, Laguna—Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday vowed to stamp out criminality in the Philippines by first resolving poverty.

In an ambush interview after a program at the Barangay Landayan covered court, Binay said criminality remains prevalent in the country.

Binay said criminality was not a problem in Makati when he was the city’s mayor.

“Ang sitwasyon natin sa katahimikan, may problema tayo sa katahimikan. Araw-araw, nababasa mo may patayan. Pero noong ako ay mayor, hindi ko ho naging problema ‘yang kriminalidad,” Binay said.

(We have a problem in peace and order. Every day, you read about killings in the papers. When I was still a mayor, I never had a problem with criminality.)

Binay said criminality is an end result of poverty, and only by ending poverty can one resolve criminality.

“Unang-una, ‘yong problema kasi ‘yong kahirapan. Alam mo ‘yong criminality, one cause niyan ‘yong poverty,” Binay said.

(The problem is poverty. You know, criminality is a byproduct of poverty.)

READ: Binay: Poverty, not corruption, is PH’s ‘moral problem’

Binay was asked about his stance on criminality as he has not stated his position during his proclamation rally at Welfareville compound in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the four other candidates—Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas, Senator Grace Poe, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago—have given their respective stances. IDL

READ: Corruption, poverty, criminality, and the next prez

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