‘I am Binay Filipino Forever,’ says VP in closing speech

DAGUPAN CITY – Vice President Jejomar Binay expressed pride that he is a “Filipino forever” in his closing statement at the last presidential debate.

During the debate at the University of Pangasinan on Sunday, Binay was asked to give a closing statement based on the account of a young girl, Jhessa Balbastro from Bohol.

Balbastro said she is an eighth honor student but she was mocked for being too poor.

Binay repeated his stump speech of listing down his achievements when he was Makati officer-in-charge, Makati mayor, governor of the Metro Manila Commission, and now vice president.

“Itong mga pangakong ito, balewala po lahat yan, karamihan mga pangako. Ang importante, ang magiging Pangulo po ay may kakayahan ipatupad ang kanyang ipinapangako. Meron bang track record, may karanasan ba, kung may karanasan naman baka puros kapalpakan,” Binay said.

“Ito po si Jojo Binay, sa lawak ng karanasan, eh wala na pong makakapantay sa aking karanasan bilang nanungkulan sa executive department,” he added.

He said he is a decisive leader who makes decisive action and hits the ground running.

He said because he grew up in poverty, he knows how to resolve poverty in the country

In ending his speech, Binay thanked his family for sticking to his side despite the corruption allegations hurled against him and his family.

“Bilang pagtatapos, gusto ko magpasalamat sa aking pamilya, dahil sa kanilang pag-intindi, kung anu anong paninira inabot nila, hindi nila ako iniwanan,” Binay said.

“Ako po si Jojo Binay, kung sa ABS-CBN, mayroong BFF, meron din naman pong Binay Filipino Forever,” he added.