Binay prays OVP staff will continue helping the poor

Mara Cepeda

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Binay prays OVP staff will continue helping the poor
'Lord, we are grateful for the guidance throughout the years as we strived to serve the Filipino people,” outgoing Vice President Jejomar Binay says in a prayer he wrote for his staff members

MANILA, Philippines – Six days before he steps down from office, Vice President Jejomar Binay sponsored a thanksgiving mass for his friends and staff.

Binay was seen attending the mass with his wife, Elenita Sombillo-Binay, at the Coconut Palace chapel on Friday, June 24.  

He posted photos of the event in his official Facebook page, and wrote a short prayer for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) staff. 

Binay prayed that those who worked under the OVP will continue being of service to the poor. 

“Lord, we are grateful for the guidance throughout the years as we strived to serve the Filipino people,” said Binay. 

“Your light and love will continue to shepherd us in our continuing mission to uplift the lives of our countrymen, most especially the poor,” he added. 

Binay’s prayer was consistent with his platform of pro-poor governance and inclusive growth when he ran for president in May. He, however, lost to President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, finishing at fourth place.

The VP'S PRAYER. Vice President Jejomar Binay attends the thanksgiving mass with the OVP staff. Photo from Binay's Facebook Page

This is not deterring Binay from continuing his intent to help Filipinos once his term as Vice President ends.  

He told Rappler that he is currently reading a book about ending poverty and world economy. 

Naimpluwensiyahan ako ng anak ko na tapusin ‘yung magandang libro na ‘yun. [It’s written b] Jeffrey Sachs, ‘yung The End of Poverty. Maganda, bestseller!” said Binay.

(One of my children influenced me to finish that good book. It’s written by Jeffrey Sachs, The End of Poverty. It’s good, it’s a bestseller!) 

In his official website, Sachs said the book seeks to explain “why, over the past two hundred years, wealth has diverged across the planet and why the poorest nations have so far been unable to improve their lot.” 

Binay said he is spending his last days in office by accepting courtesy calls at the Coconut Palace and extending help to those who approach him. 

The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to file charges against Binay over the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Parking Building II once his term for Vice President ends. – Rappler.com

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Mara Cepeda

Mara Cepeda specializes in stories about politics and local governance. She covers the Office of the Vice President, the Senate, and the Philippine opposition. She is a 2021 fellow of the Asia Journalism Fellowship and the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship of the UN. Got tips? Email her at mara.cepeda@rappler.com or tweet @maracepeda.