Binay plays ‘poor boy’ card

Elitists not welcome to apply.

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party on Friday said those wishing to run for president should not come from the ranks of the privileged, as it sought to play up the humble beginnings of its candidate, Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“It is important for a candidate not to be elitist, to be a person who brings effective management and heart for the poor, and someone who does not alienate marginalized sectors,” said UNA president Toby Tiangco.

“We will make sure that progress will not just be for the businessmen and entrepreneurs, but will benefit everyone,” he said in a statement.

He said UNA could bring both “experience and the heart to serve the people.”

Tiangco, the House representative from Navotas, challenged Binay’s prospective rivals for the presidency to declare their intentions in 2016 and offer intelligent solutions to the country’s problems.

He said it was time for the other aspirants to stop trying to raise their profiles with the public, and to go beyond “name recall, political rhetoric and drama.”

Tiangco said those who wished to challenge Binay, so far the only declared candidate for president, should present themselves to the people with clear and coherent platforms.

“Unlike others who belch political rhetoric and drama, Binay has a proven track record as a local chief executive and has already presented UNA’s plan of action which focuses on effective and caring governance, economic dynamism and social inclusion/improvement of basic services,” he said in a statement.

“It is time that we go beyond name recall. It is time to present a clear and coherent platform that will address, mitigate and solve the prevailing concerns of the poor,” Tiangco added.