VLOG: Binay celebrates 72nd bday, unfazed by corruption scandals

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay faces the biggest corruption scandal to hit him to date. But on his 72nd birthday, he seemed unfazed by exposé after exposé.

Bea Cupin reports. 

Surrounded by loyal constituents from Makati and members of the Philippine Marines, it’s easy to forget that Vice President Jejomar Binay is in the middle of a huge political storm.

On his 72nd birthday, Binay spends the morning jogging with the Marines at their headquarters in Taguig city.

Binay is a reservist in the Marines with a rank of colonel.

The day before, he goes back home to his bailiwick to attend a thanksgiving mass at the Makati city hall.

His birthday is not just a celebration. This is a politically savvy man in his element.

JEJOMAR BINAY, PHILIPPINE VICE PRESIDENT: Ang marines hindi marunong mang-iwan (The Marines are no deserters)

In the past few months, Binay has little to thank for, at least politically. While he remains the top presidential pick for 2016 based on nationwide surveys, his ratings have slipped considerably, no thanks to plunder raps filed against him and his son, and a Senate probe into corruption allegations against him.

The Vice President has denied the allegations, accusing his detractors of only wanting to pin him down in time for the 2016 polls.

He has also backed out of a planned debate against senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the senators leading the probe against him.

He tells reporters, the worst is over.

JEJOMAR BINAY, PHILIPPINE VICE PRESIDENT: To be more accurate, it’s waning. It’s weakening…. Marami pang ipupukol. Yung kalabasan doon is kung [ano ang] factual eh. Pero napupunta na sila sa mga fairy tales. Laos na iyon. (To be more accurate, it’s waning, it’s weakening. They may be throwing other things at me. But in the end, you rely on what’s factual. They’re veering towards fairy tales. It won’t sell anymore)

Bea Cupin, Rappler, Manila. – Rappler.com