Though his reputation rating has
taken hits lately, Vice President Binay is still the strongest contender for
Philippine presidency in 2016 Presidential Election. Vice President Binay, is
he the one for our country? His group of
followers will surely give an enthusiastic "yes;" but his
detractors will tell you "no!" So who is should we
believed?
To answer our simple question,
let us look at Binay's deeds rather than the words from both sides.
In the past after he was
installed as Makati Mayor by President Aquino, rumors have started spreading
that Binay would be "given" a unit or two in every high-rise
condominium building that will be constructed in Makati. To make sure that things
went smoothly for the developers. Though these gossips are widespread, we are innocent
of any occasion where former mayor has come out to deny those accusations. The
problem was the rumors fade away and his detractors point to his non-response
as the proof that rumors are true.
Binay's 2013 has only Php.60
million in SALN. Compared to the other mayors and governors SALN, the Binay's
net worth was small. However in 2013 an article from an online website suggests
that Binay uses tactic employed by late Philippine President Marcos during martial
law years, having subalterns stand in as listed owners of properties he really
owns. Asset was not on his name, then it will not be declared in his SALN.
By looking at Binay’s other
public acts that will answer the question that we have posted. Binay was
appointed Makati mayor by President Corazon Aquino after 1986 revolution in
EDSA. He then elected mayor of Makati City in 1988, again won a reelection in the
year 1992, and again in the year 1995. His term ended in the year 1998 and could
not run due to term limits. So his wife Elenita won as mayor for one term.
In 2001, with term limits behind
him, Binay ran as mayor and held that post until 2010 when he was limited once
again. This time Jejomar Binay, Jr. took Makati's mayoral reins from his
father. Sadly many see nothing wrong to what Binay did many Filipino officials in
do the same thing to get around term-limit restrictions.
Also at issue "dynastic"
ambitions of the Binay’s, four members of his immediate family have already
been elected into public office. The question one might ask is that, “are
the Binay’s so exceptionally gifted that the country needs to have four of them
in public office?” Or “has Binay used his political clout to push
is family into positions they could never have attained on their own?”
There still is no Anti-Dynasty Law as of now in this country so the Binay is not
doing anything wrong with it.
Now let us look at Binay's
decision making procedure. He announced that Rep. Manny Pacquiao was listed in
his senatorial slate line up. Really? Manny Pacquiao a Philippine senator? Many
Filipinos believe he doesn't even deserve to be a congressman, which he is.
Together with the former President Gloria Arroyo who is now under hospital
arrest for plunder cases, Pacquiao with the most absences among his
congressional colleagues. For almost a year, Pacquiao was away training or
preparing for a fight. And when he's not doing that, he's coaching his
basketball team or planning to play professional basketball himself. The fact
that he is extremely popular will most likely win if he runs senator and it does
not mean that he should run. Pacquiao as the choice of Binay was crass
political decisions that in many ways give us insight into what kind of
president Binay will be in the future. Zero benefit for Filipino people if
Pacquiao becomes senator because there is nothing "senatorial" about
him. He has nothing to contribute. But having Pacquiao on his party's lineup
will be a big plus for Binay, and that in it might be good enough for him.
Recently plunder raps filed
against Binay in connection with the alleged overpricing of a parking building.
According to the complaint, the government ended up paying the amount of Php1.56
billion for a building that would only cost Php245 million to build. Binay right
away headed off the controversy by stating that one of the complainants lost to
Binay's son in last year's mayoral elections.
He also told the public to expect
more now that he will be running as president in the next 2016 presidential
election. The question people have to ask themselves however is whether this
flood of accusations headed Binay's way is because of his candidacy or because
there have indeed been numerous anomalies he was involved in over the years.
I am not going to answer the
given question above but we’d like you to give your opinion.
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