Binay: Presidential dream dates back to childhood

VICE President Jejomar Binay on Thursday said his dream to become the country’s next top leader dates back to his childhood days.

“Batang-bata pa ako naiisip ko na iyan, minsan minsan. Sa katotohanan, talagang nangangarap akong maging Pangulo ng bansa,” Binay said in an interview with CNN Philippines.

Binay said his dream of becoming president was boosted when he was elected class officer in school, and as member of the student government in college.

“Kasi in the first place, sa classroom pa lang, I was always a class officer. In college, I was a member of the UP Student Council, elected. Gusto ko talagang maglingkod sa pamahalaan. After all, I suppose you read it in profiles in college, one of the best professions is working in government kasi it gives you an opportunity to be of service [to] the people.” he said.

Binay, who once called the vice presidency as a “spare tire,” said his position can be a stepping stone to the presidency “if you’ve done something good in that position.”

“At least pinalad ako doon sa aking pangarap na ako ay hindi maging spare tire dahil sa pinagkatiwalaan din naman ako ni Pangulong Aquino na ako ay mangasiwa sa pabahay,” he said.

If he would be elected president in 2016, Binay said he would spend his first 100 days in office “uplifting the life of the Filipino people” by addressing unemployment and lowering income tax.

“There are many changes that can be done. For example, I am fully supportive, although it’s not fully supported by the administration and even by the administration candidate for president, of lowering the income tax. That will increase money for the people for them to spend, among others. We will find a way to reduce the cost of prices, specifically for basic commodities like rice,” the vice president said.

Binay announced his bid for the presidency under the United Nationalist Alliance and declared himself as opposition leader after he resigned from the Cabinet of President Benigno Aquino III. Yuji Vincent Gonzales