Binay calls Roxas ‘Secretary palpak’

Vice President Jejomar Binay blasts his opponent Mar Roxas during a campaign sortie in Iligan city, calling Roxas “Secretary palpak.” MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB/INQUIRER.net

ILIGAN CITY, Lanao Del Norte — Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday called Liberal Party standard bearer Mar Roxas “Secretary palpak” (bumbling), a day after the presidential debates in nearby Cagayan De Oro city.

During his campaign rally at the plaza here, Binay said he would not be like one of the presidential candidates who was inefficient in every secretary post he got in government, obviously referring to Roxas, who had been appointed Trade, Transportation, and Interior secretary in three administrations.

“Katulad ng isang tao d’yan, maraming karanasan. Naging secretary, secretary, secretary, puro sa kapalpakan naman!” Binay said, rousing laughter from the audience.

Binay cited the breakdowns besetting the Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) and alleged corruption during the stint of Roxas as secretary.

“Ang MRT at ang nakawan dun po sa mga kaban ng bayan, puros kapalpakan ang administrasyon na ito. Wala talagang malasakit sa mahirap,” said Binay, who himself is indicted for graft and corruption for allegedly rigging the procurement of the Makati car park building when he was mayor.

Binay also scored another presidentiable for being an “on-the-job” candidate, referring to Sen. Grace Poe, who was a newly elected senator in 2013 after her short stint at the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board and is now vying for the presidency.

“Baguhin na natin ang pulitika. Bumoto na tayo ng kandidato na may karanasang mamuno, hindi pwedeng ang iboto natin sa pangulo, walang karanasan. Hindi yung pagpunta sa pangulo, on the job training. Hindi pwedeng maging heneral ka nang hindi dumaan munang colonel o major,” Binay said.

Binay criticized his opponents a day after the Comelec presidential debates in Cagayan De Oro city, when he blasted the administration’s inefficiency in delivering social services to the poor.

Binay also criticized the administration’s failure to address the power crisis in Mindanao, particularly referring to its failure to utilize the hydropower potential of the Maria Cristina falls in Iligan.

“Maria Cristina Falls is another example of what kind of a leader we have. Very poor in leadership. Ngayon, halos hindi nakakaproduce ng power ang Maria Cristina; ang maintenance, laos,” Binay said.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang brownout! Ilang taon na, nasaan ang namumuno? For every problem, there is a solution. There is no solution, because we have a bad leader, a bad administration,” he added.

Mindanao is heavily reliant on hydropower, and is constantly plagued with power shortage, especially during summer, when the water supply is low.