VP Binay on 2016 bid: ‘No turning back’

Rappler.com

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VP Binay on 2016 bid: ‘No turning back’
Hounded by controversies and dipping public approval ratings, Vice President Jejomar Binay says he is not even thinking of quitting the presidential race

MANILA, Philippines – Controversies, allegations of corruption, and dipping approval and trust ratings have not deterred Vice President Jejomar Binay from pursuing his bid for the presidency in 2016.

Binay told reporters after the Rizal Day rites at the Luneta on December 30, Tuesday, that he has already gone this far, and there is no turning back now.

“Biruin mo ang haba na ng panahon na ‘yun o tapos eh pinagbibintangan ka pa ng napakaraming kasinungalingan. Aba eh kapag nag-turning back ka pa nun eh hindi ka na siguro marunong lumaban,” Binay said.

(Imagine, it’s been so long already, then you are being accused of so many lies. If you still turn back, it means you don’t know how to fight.)

Responding to questions, the Vice President said he remains on good terms with President Benigno Aquino III. Both leaders, along with former president now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, attended the Rizal event.

 “’Di ba may kasabihan, ‘The thing speaks for itself.’ Kita mo naman yung tawanan namin. ‘Di ba? Eh ‘yun ang pagpapakita kung anong pinag umpisahan ng aming pagsasama eh ‘di hanggang ngayong umaga ganun pa rin,” Binay said, referring to his brief interaction with the Chief Executive that morning.

(There’s a saying, “The thing speaks for itself.” You saw how we were laughing, right? It only shows that whatever long-standing friendship we have is still the same this morning.)

When asked, Binay said he would remain in the Cabinet unless let go by the appointing authority, the President.

“We serve at the pleasure of the President,” said Binay, who had been criticized for remaining in the Aquino Cabinet even after he had openly scored some administration programs, and even some of the President’s allies whom he believed were behind a demolition job against him

 Asked for his message to critics, Binay said he was looking at the Rizal monument  and thought: “Mukhang ‘yun na lang yata ang hindi ibinibintang sa akin eh. (‘Yung) pagkamatay ni Jose Rizal (It’s the only thing they haven’t accused me of. The death of Jose Rizal).”

Since Binay and his family had been accused of corruption in a Senate probe on the alleged overpriced Makati City parking building, the Vice President’s public approval and trust ratings, as well as his lead in polls on potential presidential contenders,  have been steadily declining.

The results of a Pulse Asia Research Inc survey in November showed that he is no longer the most trusted and appreciated national official in the country, a distinction he had enjoyed since he became vice president. 

Binay, however, remains the frontrunner in polls on voters’ preference for presidential contenders.  – Rappler.com

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