MANILA, Philippines – He is approaching his last days in office, but Vice President Jejomar Binay keeps himself busy. 

“Nagre-report sa opisina at tumatanggap ng bisita, nagpapaabot ng tulong. ‘Yung mga nangangailangan ng tulong, tinutulungan,” Binay told Rappler when asked how he is spending the last week before he steps down as vice president. (I still report to the office and accept visitors. I still help those who needs my help.)

He came from a gruelling presidential campaign in May, losing the race despite being the first candidate to declare his bid for the presidency 6 years ago and initially topping surveys.

Binay spent P463,375,216.37 out of the P463,453,000 he received from campaign contributors. 

He was the 3rd top spender among the 5 presidential candidates, following Senator Grace Poe and Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II. 

It seems that while Binay’s childhood dream of becoming Philippine president slipped from his fingers, his enthusiasm in performing his job as Vice President remains. 

He was former housing czar and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ affairs. (READ: CAMPAIGN NOTES: 10 things I learned while covering Jejomar Binay) 

“Wala, ganun pa rin. Exercise and walking in the morning. Then walang katapusang courtesy calls sa office,” Binay’s daughter Senator Nancy Binay said of her father’s daily routine.

(It’s still the same. He exercises and walks in the morning. Then he accepts endless courtesy calls in the office.) 

Daghang Salamat @VPJojoBinay #PhPolitics pic.twitter.com/sw0kwKOpFI

— Cesar Bitong (@JanJanBitong) June 21, 2016

Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, president of Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said several politicians and groups had visited the Vice President recently.

“Kasi nasa political mode pa siya, ‘di ba? ‘Yung pinupuntahan siya ng politicians, nabubuhay ‘yung dugong pulitiko niya,” said Tiangco. (He is still in the political mode, right? So when politicians visit him, it revives his passion for politics.) 

Binay has tasked his chief of staff Benjamin Martinez to oversee the transition of the Office of the Vice President to Vice President-elect Leni Robredo, whom he congratulated through a letter.

Quality time with family, friends

But it’s not all work for Binay.  

The outgoing Vice President said he was in Lucban, Quezon, last weekend to join the birthday celebration of healing priest Father Joey Faller. 

Binay has also been spending quality time with his family, especially his 13 grandchildren.

“Nagpunta kami sa Balesin noon (We went to Balesin),” shared Binay, referring to a members-only resort in the Quezon province. 

On May 26, Binay’s official page posted a photo of the Vice President standing on the edge of an infinity pool, looking at a beach. 

The Vice President was also seen attending the Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention together with his son, former Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr and some of his grandchildren. 

The event organizers showed the Binays the Funko! Pop dolls of Senator Manny Pacquiao, who ran under UNA, and Game of Thrones character Hodor. – Rappler.com