MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay continued his tirade against Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte on the same day the tough-talking mayor grabbed the solo lead in a presidential survey.  

“Meron ho sa inyo ay sa paghanga ninyo sa kanyang mga sinasabing, ‘Pinapatay ko ‘yan! Puputulin ko ang ulo niyan!’ Ano ba naman? ‘Yung paghanga ‘nyo sana ay ‘wag ‘nyong ilipat sa pagboto,” said Binay before a crowd in front of the Bagong Silang Phase 1 Public Market in Caloocan City on Monday, April 11. 

(There are people who are amazed when he says, “I had him killed! I will cut off his head!” Please, your admiration should not translate into votes.) 

“Sa pagboto ninyo, kailangan ang iboboto ‘nyo ay maipagmamalaki ninyo na maging pangulo. Pero mali, uulitin ko ha? Responsbilidad ng bawat Pilipino na hindi dapat maging pangulo itong si Duterte,” the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard-bearer added. 

(When you vote, vote for someone whom you can be proud of as president. It’s just wrong [for vote for somebody like him]. I’ll say it again, alright? It’s the responsibility of every Filipino to prevent a Duterte presidency.)

On Monday, the latest Social Weather Stations face-to-face survey revealed Duterte overtaking Senator Grace Poe for the first time as front runner, with 27% against Poe’s 23%.

Binay got 20%; Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II, 18%; Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, 3%. 

The Vice President repeats his accusation that Duterte kills the poor, women, and even children based on “mere suspicion.” (READ: Binay to Duterte: ‘Presidency not for liars, merciless killers’)

“Eh kung may pambansang kamao si Manny Pacquiao, meron naman ho tayong pambansang berdugo na pumapatay ng mahirap. Di ho tama ‘yan,” said Binay.

(If we have a national fist that is Manny Pacquiao, we also have a national executioner who kills the poor. That’s not right.) 

Duterte has denied his involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City, an alleged anti-crime strategy critics believe he would conduct on a national scale if he is elected president.

Why hit Duterte only now? 

Before calling Duterte an executioner, Binay said during the second presidential debate in March that the Davao mayor was also qualified to be president like him. 

But Binay took back this statement on Monday. 

“Alam mo, si Duterte parang alulod. Pagkapinapurihan, akala mo totong-totoo na,” said the Vice President. (You know, Duterte is like a drain. When you praise him, he believes it’s true.)

Asked why he is only hitting Duterte now, Binay said it is because he was finally able to see all the evidence against his rival. 

“Aba, napagtibay ko. Nakita ko na lahat halos ng ebidensiya. Nabalikan ko ‘yung mga sinabi niya,” the Vice President explained. (Well, I was able to establish it. I saw almost all the evidence. I was able to revisit what he had been saying.)

In past sortie speeches, Binay would hit Roxas and Poe. He only went on the offensive against Duterte last week, when the Davao mayor began surging in the polls. 

Now personal?

Duterte was previously reported as saying that he understands Binay’s need to win because if he loses, he and his family would go to jail.

Binay, his wife Dra Elenita, and their children – dismissed Makati Mayor Junjun and Makati Second District Representative Abigail – face several accusations of corruption, graft, and malversation of public funds. (READ: The Bandit King)

The Vice President’s running mate, Senator Gregorio Honasan II, came to his standard-bearer’s defense.  

“Nagtataka ba kayo na nauubusan ng pasensya ang ating ilang kandidato? (You’re still wondering why some of the candidates are already losing patience?) And the Vice President is not an exception. You’re hitting the family. Guaranteed by the Constitution – hindi ako abogado (I am not a lawyer) – no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and property without due process,” said Honasan. 

Binay also maintained he is not afraid of the Davao mayor. 

“Siguro magiging mayabang na ko. Hindi ako natatakot kay Duterte…. Bakit ako matatakot, totoo naman ang sinasabi ko?” he said. (Perhaps let me brag a bit a now. I am not afraid of Duterte. Why would I be? I’m telling the truth.) – Rappler.com