CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday refuted the claims of Liberal Party standard-bearer Mar Roxas that there is still massive poverty in Makati.
In a statement after the presidential elections debate here, Binay’s communications director Joey Salgado belied the statement of Roxas that some villages in Makati are still hounded by poverty and criminality.
During the debate, Roxas said there are two Makatis—the Makati of Ayala, which is progressive, and the Makati of the Binays, which is poor.
Roxas mentioned the villages of Rembo and Pembo where he said poverty and drugs still abound.
Roxas also mentioned that drug raids remain pervasive especially in the glitzy clubs of the high-end business district in Makati.
“Nabanggit ni VP ang Makati. Dalawa ang Makati, ang Makati ng mga Ayala na maunlad, ang Makati ng mga Binay na mahirap,” Roxas said.
(VP mentioned Makati. there are two Makatis—the Makati of Ayala, which is progressive, and the Makati of the Binays, which is poor.)
“Sa Rembo, sa Pembo, nandiyan pa rin ang mga mahihirap, ang droga. Sa Makati (mayroong) drug raid bawat club bawat Sabado, nandiyan at laganap ang droga sa Makati,” he added, rousing laughter from the audience.
(In the villages of Rembo and Pembo, poverty and drugs persist. In each Makati club, there is a drug raid every Saturday. Drugs in Makati are widespread.)
Salgado said for the information of Roxas, the number of poor in Makati declined from 17,000 in 2000 to only 2,000 in 2012, under a Binay administration.
However, the poverty in Roxas’ hometown Capiz is worse compared to that in Makati, Salgado said.
“For Mr. Roxas’ erudition, the number of poor residents in Makati has declined dramatically during Binay’s administration. In 2000, there were over 17,000 poor families in Makati. In 2012, that number has dropped dramatically to only 2,000. Now contrast that with poverty in Roxas City,” Salgado said.
For Roxas’ information, Salgado also said Makati has been recognized by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for its anti-drug campaign.
“Sa totoo lang tayo, Mr. Roxas,” Salgado said.
(Let us stick with only the truth, Mr. Roxas.)
Salgado said Roxas opted to hit his opponents instead of tackling the issues at hand.
“Instead of talking about issues, Roxas opted to talk about himself, and spent his time hitting his opponents by plucking data from thin air,” Salgado said.
“Vice President Binay knows where to take this country. He showed a grasp of policy issues, and has a plan to move us forward, especially in addressing poverty,” Salgado added. RAM
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