‘B’ on a cross: Netizens criticize VP Binay’s bracelets

MANILA, Philippines – Netizens were abuzz on Tuesday, July 7, over a bracelet with a “B” painted on its pendant, which happened to be a cross.

The bracelets were distributed by Vice President Jejomar Binay when he visited on July 4 the victims and relatives of the survivors of the motor banca M/B Kim Nirvana that capsized in Ormoc City.

The original photos uploaded by Facebook user “Kath Lin” showed a woman posing beside the Vice President with the bracelet that had letter “B” painted on the cross. Thinking she was given a rosary, she posted: “With VP Binay?!! Salamat pu sa rosary” (Thank you for the rosary).

After seeing the post, blogger Noemi Lardizabal-Dado tagged the photo under #EpalWatch, an online drive against premature campaigning.

I didn’t know there was a Binay rosary. #epalwatch https://t.co/D3PQiGVjCC

— Noem Lardizabal-Dado (@momblogger) July 7, 2015

The Omnibus Election Code bans premature campaigning. But, in a widely criticized decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the law only applies when the politicians have filed their certificates of candidacies. With the filing of candidacies scheduled in October yet, this means politicians seen to be  “campaigning” are not violating anything.

Not a rosary

However, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) spokesperson Mon Ilagan clarified that the Vice President has been giving away bracelets, not rosaries, especially to senior citizens. 

“I don’t think this is an epal move. `Di na kailangan magpa-epal at magpakilala pa siya as he already has name recall,” Ilagan added. (He doesn’t need to make himself known to the public as he already has name recall.) 

On the thread posted by the Facebook page “Thinking class of the Philippines,” Beni El noted that the center of the crucifix is Christ not the Vice President. 

Facebook user, Maribel Avelino, on the other hand, criticized Binay for “disrespecting” Christianity.  “He is not holy to use the rosary,” Avelino added. 

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On the thread posted by MovePH, Hana B Deveza also commented that the Catholic church should react and question the Vice President on this.   

Below were some of the comments posted online:

 

Baka naman yung B sa Rosary ni Binay eh for Blessed as in #Blessed?

— TEAM CARL (@ChasingCarl) July 7, 2015 

*Waiting for CBCP statement on the ‘B’ markings on distributed Binay rosary bracelets*

— Ley Torres (@legallytanned) July 7, 2015

#Dislike Binay has his own “version” of Rosary http://t.co/7zt2MMzy2H pic.twitter.com/qjtiIlR7K4

— Viral Effecto (@ViralEffecto) July 7, 2015

 

bat letter b? for binay? hala bracelet rosary yan ha https://t.co/FqXLsih525

— angeeeel ✨ (@angeeeelnacario) July 7, 2015

 

Si Binay, pati rosary pinatos para lang sa pangangampanya niya. Bastos!

— Bullet ❤️ (@snorlaxxed) July 7, 2015

 

What do you think of the move by Vice President Binay’s camp? Share with us your thoughts on the comments section below! – Rappler.com