Pacquiao: A President Binay would understand the poor’s plight

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Pacquiao: A President Binay would understand the poor’s plight
Boxing champion and Sarangani Representative Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquiao goes around with Vice President Jejomar Binay, defending him against corruption allegations

MANILA, Philippines – Do not expect Vice President Jejomar Binay to attend the Senate probe into the allegedly overpriced Makati City Parking Building II even as the Commission on Audit (COA) has confirmed the red flags raised against the project.

Mayroon pa akong mas importanteng dapat gawin. Ang trabaho ko sa OFW at pabahay,” Binay told reporters in General Santos City on Monday, October 6. (I have more important things to do. I have work to do for the Overseas Filipino Workers and the housing projects.)

The Vice President was busy on Monday pressing the flesh with boxing champion and Sarangani Representative Emmanuel Pacquiao, who defended Binay against the corruption allegations. They jumped from one radio interview to another and also met local officials.

Pacquiao, in a radio interview, gave a categorial endorsement of Binay: “Ngayon pa lang, nakikita natin ang kanyang tulong sa ating province, lalo na sa mga pabahay na ibibigay, hindi lamang dito kundi sa buong Region 12. Alam ‘nyo rin po, si Vice President Binay nanggaling din sa hirap. Kapag siya ay naupo, maiintindihan niya ang kalagayan ng karamihan ng ating kababayan. Kaya ako ay naniniwala ka kapag siya ay naupo, malaki ang maitutulong niya.”

(“We see how he has been helping the province and the entire region, especially through his housing projects. You should know that the Vice President grew up poor. If he is elected, he will understand the plight of the many poor Filipinos. I believe that if he is elected, he will be of great help.”) 

Binay pounded on his pro-poor message, highlighting the similarities between his and Pacquiao’s humble beginnings. 

Pareho naman kaming hindi namin ‘kinahihiya ang aming kahirapan. Ang aming nagiging pamamahala sa pamahalaan ay dala iyon ng aming pinaghubugang kahirapan,” Binay said. (We are not ashamed of our humble beginnings. Our experiences molded our style of leadership.)

Will Pacquiao agree to be Binay’s runningmate? Binay said they are still studying their options. 

Inspite of the 10-percentage points drop in his latest poll numbers, Binay insisted that majority of Filipinos do not believe the allegations against him. 

He took an apparent swipe at Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, his lead critic in the Senate, who also lost support in the latest presidential polls.

Reporter: Hindi kaya umabot sa punto na ang mga paninirang ito ay mag-boomerang sa mga nag-aakusa sa inyo? (Don’t you think it will come to a point that all these allegations made by your critics will boomerang?)

VP Binay: Sa takbo po ng pangyayari, makikita niyo naman sa survey. (Based on events, you can already see it in surveys.)

Binay also laughed at the statement of Senate President Franklin Drilon, who has supported the committee hearing against Binay and his family. Drilon, an administration stalwart, denied politics is behind the probe agianst the opposition candidate.

General Santos Mayor Ronnel Rivera and UNA presumptive senatorial candidate Valenzuela City Representative Sherwin Gatchalian also joined Binay in his activities in General Santos. – Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler.com

 

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