MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay is wary of potential cheating on Monday, May 9, when millions of Filipinos are expected to troop to the polls to decide winners in various national and local positions. 

“E ‘di pandaraya…. Patungkol lang sa Comelec (Commission on Elections), medyo nakakatakot ang nangyayari. Lumalabas dun sa mga tine-test na mga balota e Roxas, Roxas,” the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) standard-bearer told reporters on Friday, May 6.

(I’m wary of cheating. What’s happening with Comelec is worrisome. It is the name of Roxas appearing on ballots being tested.)

A lawyer of leading presidential candidate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte came forward to claim that tests of a vote-counting machine in Kiamba town in Sarangani province showed it was erroneously tallying votes cast for the mayor in favor of administration candidate Manuel Roxas II.

Binay, a former survey leader, is now trailing in 4th place with 13% of voters choosing him in the May 1-3 Social Weather Stations survey. He is behind Duterte (33%), Senator Grace Poe (22%), and Roxas (20%).

Binay said his camp is doing all it can to protect the votes of their supporters on election day.

“Magbabantay kami. Pero sanay na naman tayo,” said the Vice President.

(We will be vigilant. We’re used to this scenario.)

Binay also called on President Benigno Aquino III to make clean and fair elections his legacy.

“Sana maging legacy ni President Aquino na ito’y maging isang malinis at marangal na halalan,” said Binay.

(I hope President Aquino’s legacy will be clean and honorable polls.)

Binay spent the second to the last day of the campaign period in Navotas City, the bailiwick of UNA president Representative Toby Tiangco.

UNA Senate bets Sarangani Representative Manny Pacquiao, broadcaster Rey Langit, and labor lawyer Allan Montaño also joined the Vice President’s motorcade.

Binay is scheduled to hold his miting de avance in Makati City, where he was mayor for 21 years. – Rappler.com