Binay cries ‘Niagara Falls’ when called Mr President

MANILA, Philippines – He used to be just tearful about the idea, but now, when Vice President Jejomar Binay imagines himself as Philippine president, it floods.

Former Senator Rene Saguisag, Binay’s longtime comrade, ribbed his friend about the Vice President’s growing desire to clinch the presidency in 2016.

In an interview on Rappler’s #TalkThursday, Saguisag shared his thoughts upon meeting Binay and his wife, doctor Elenita Binay, after the state dinner for US President Barack Obama this week.

“When I was walking out of Malacañang last Monday, I chanced on the couple, the Binays. I did not call him Mr President then because it was already flooded outside. Because the first time I called him Mr President, his eyes moistened. The next time, Niagara Falls!”

Saguisag quipped, “So if I had called him Mr President last Monday, it would have taken a long time to get out because the driveway flooded quickly.”

Watch the interview here:

Binay and Saguisag share a long history. Both human rights lawyers, they were together in the anti-Marcos Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism (Mabini) group during martial law.

“We were tear-gassed, shot at, water-cannoned, and chased. Jojobama and I go a long way,” Saguisag said, using a moniker for Binay that originated from jokes that the dark-skinned politician will become the Philippines’ “first black president,” as Barack Obama was in the United States.

The former lawmaker also commented on Binay’s political chances following the release of a March 19-26 Pulse Asia survey showing the Vice President way ahead of other possible presidential contenders.

“If elections were held today, we’ll have President Jojobama,” Saguisag said. “Seriously, he has no opponent as of today. All the polls will show that.”

But will Binay make a good president?

Saguisag, who openly admits voting for Binay’s rival Interior Secretary Mar Roxas in 2010, was circumspect.

“There’s only one way to find out really, but the polls would indicate that he really is a popular choice. But I am surely committed to support him if the one he will be dealing or fighting in 2016 is Bongbong Marcos. But with other names being floated, if I’m still around in 2016, I’ll probably decide by then,” said the 74-year-old lawyer. 

Saguisag revealed that Binay initially wanted a different career path.

“I think it was he or somebody else who told me that if he had been an inch or two taller, he would have gone to the Philippine Military Academy. But as of that time, there was still the height requirement,” he said.

Whether his friend eventually becomes Mr President or not, Saguisag said it would be best for Binay’s critics not to underestimate the man. 

“You look at Napoleon Bonaparte. [General Vo Nguyen Giap], the one who defeated the French and the Americans, was 102 when he died last year. He was also 5 feet flat but also a lawyer, University of Hanoi,” Saguisag said. – Rappler.com