VP Binay ‘not threatened’ by Poe victory at SC

OLONGAPO CITY, Zambales – Vice President Jejomar Binay does not see as a threat the Supreme Court decision qualifying Sen. Grace Poe in the presidential elections, Binay’s daughter Sen. Nancy Binay said.

The senator said Binay’s camp already factored in Poe’s candidacy despite the residency and citizenship issues hounding her presidential bid.

READ: SC rules in favor of Poe in DQ case | Duterte overtakes Binay in latest poll; Poe loses points

Speaking at the sidelines of Binay’s campaign in this city Tuesday night, the younger Binay said they were unfazed that Poe’s survey ratings could catch up and surpass Binay’s after the Supreme Court allowed her to run.

The latest Pulse Asia survey conducted Feb. 15 to 20 showed Binay and Poe statistically tied in the top post.

In that survey, Binay gained two percentage points to 25 percent from his previous score of 23 percent in January, while Poe shed four points to 26 percent from her previous score of 30 percent.

“Para sa amin, na-input na namin ung pagtakbo ni Sen. Grace Poe, kinonsider na namin yun. The probability is 50-50. Kung madidisqualify or hindi madidisquailfy. On our part, mas prudent na isama na natin sila, i-factor in natin siya sa pangangampanya,” Binay said.

Poe’s victory in the Supreme Court does not mean Binay is changing his campaign strategy, she said.

“Yung pagtakbo namin is not dependent sa naging decision ng Supreme Court… Walang pagbabago sa uri ng aming pangangampanya,” the senator said.

Now that the Supreme Court has put an end to the questions involving Poe’s qualifications, the electorate could now focus on the candidates’ platforms of governance, she said.

“At least ngayon, pag-uusapan na yung qualifications ng limang kandidato. For the longest time, ano ang pinag-uusapan? Kung madidisqualify ba o hindi. Sana mapagusapan na kung ano ba talaga ang gagawin nila para sa ating mga kababayan,” the younger Binay added.

Poe’s citizenship was elevated to the Supreme Court by the Commission on Elections which disqualified Poe for her failure to meet the 10-year residency period and a natural-born status for presidential candidates. Poe, an adopted daughter of the late action star Fernando Poe Jr. and actress Susan Roces, was a foundling at a church in Jaro, Iloilo.