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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Where is Nancy Binay?
Once again, observers and netizens asked the question, this time not during a senatorial debate. Vice President Jejomar Binay’s daughter, Nancy, was nowhere to be found during the proclamation of the top 6 senatorial candidates at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Thursday, May 16.
Binay ranked 5th in the latest official count.
Despite her absence, the National Board of Canvassers proclaimed Binay. Commission on Elections Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr said the proclamation was valid because all commissioners signed her certification of proclamation.
Why did Binay skip her own proclamation?
As early as Thursday afternoon, reports circulated that Binay might not attend the proclamation. Yet at 5 pm, her staff told Rappler that she will be attending.
Later on, though, UNA sources told Rappler that their candidate was thinking twice about attending in deference to the alliance’s motion to postpone the partial proclamation of senatorial candidates.
UNA filed the motion on Wednesday, arguing that a reported breach in the access of election data, the delay in the transmission of results, and the corrupted compact flash (CF) cards warranted investigation and the suspension of the proclamation.
The Comelec though decided Thursday afternoon to deny UNA’s motion and proceed with the proclamation of the top 6 bets.
Binay and her staff could not be reached right before and during the proclamation.
In a press conference a day later, Binay explained she decided not to appear because with only 24% of votes canvassed as of the time of proclamation, it was not substantial enough to determine her victory. Nancy Binay and UNA argued that the proclamation was premature.
In a press conference Thursday, UNA campaign manager Navotas Rep Tobias “Toby” Tiangco said, “What’s the hurry?”
“How come for local candidates, they want 100% of the results in? In Navotas, we had to wait for just 3 precincts until 3 am even if my lead was big. How come in the senatorial race, they won’t wait?” Tiangco asked.
Tiangco was also unaware whether or not Binay was coming.
“I don’t even know if she knows the proclamation will push through because we did have a motion to postpone,” Tiangco said in a phone interview.
Binay has always deferred to the stand of UNA.
While she initially had no plans of running for senator, the political neophyte decided to seek a Senate seat because the alliance was hard-pressed to complete its slate with the last-minute withdrawal of businessman Joey de Venecia in October 2012.
Nancy Binay is UNA’s deputy secretary-general. – Rappler.com
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