Binay comes before God before facing presidential debate

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday attended Mass at the San Agustin Cathedral, hours before the start of the first Commission on Elections (Comelec) presidential debates here.

Binay sat in the middle of the cathedral with his daughter Sen. Nancy Binay.

READ: ‘No need to prepare’: Binay vows to speak the truth in debate

He also received communion before heading to the residence of Archbishop Antonio Ledesma near the cathedral.

Binay is expected to attend a dry run of the presidential debates at the Capitol University.

Earlier, he said he did not need to prepare for the debates, because he only wanted to tell the truth.

Binay’s daughter Sen. Nancy also said she hoped the debates would be issue-based and not become an occasion for “mudslinging.”

The Vice President, some members of his family and certain close friends and associates have been linked to massive corruption in Makati City involving billions of pesos. Binay has been criticized for refusing to attend a Senate investigation on the allegations and insisting on making only blanket denials.

Jejomar Binay receives communion at San Agustin Cathedral in Cagayan De Oro City a few hours before the start of the presidential debates here. Marc Jayson Cayabyab

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