Binay still Boy Scouts national president

Vincent Bascos

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Binay still Boy Scouts national president
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines elects Vice President Jejomar Binay in a motion to observe the organization's status quo. How long will he keep his post?

MANILA, Philippines – The Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) re-elected Vice President Jejomar Binay as the organization’s national president on Saturday, June 20.

At the BSP’s annual election, members from the national council and the national executive board (NEB) voted for the national officers among themselves.

Binay, now on his 19th year as BSP’s national president, has been criticized for holding the position for the longest time. Former BSP national presidents had held the position for a maximum of 7 years only.

BSP secretary general Wendel Avisado said the board went through the regular election process, but no nominations were made.

Wala namang ibang nag-iinteres na tumakbong president (Nobody else was interested to run for president),” Avisado said. 

A motion was made to “observe the status quo” and keep the same set of officers for the NEB.

According to Avisado, the motion was approved because all the officers of the organization are all active and still performing their roles and functions.

To fill in the position of BSP senior vice president, the board elected former BSP president Roberto Pagdanganan.

Binay’s presidential bid

How long will Binay keep his post?

In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the BSP is a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), and no longer a non-government voluntary organization. (READ: Shadows over Binay’s leadership of Boy Scouts)

Article VIII, Section 13, and Article VII, Section 3, of the Constitution say that the Vice President cannot hold any other position, apart from his appointment as member of the cabinet.

The Vice President will then have to give up his position as BSP national president, if he files for candidacy this October. (READ: Boy Scouts to elect officials but Jojo Binay can’t remain president)

Rappler tried to raise the question to Binay after the BSP elections, but he declined an interview, saying he was in a hurry to get to his next appointment.

When asked, Avisado said that the Vice President is well aware of the issue. “Pag nagkaganoon alam naman niya what is for the best interest of the organization (If that happens, he knows what is for the best interest of the organization).”

If Binay decides to let go of the organization because of his campaign, senior vice president Pagdanganan will take over as BSP president. The board will then decide who will fill in Pagdanganan’s position.

Also elected were the following:

  • Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman, vice president-Luzon
  • Arturo Umbac, vice president-Visayas
  • Camiguin Vice Governor Leo Lasacar, vice president-Mindanao
  • Enrique Lagdameo, national treasurer
  • Salvador Pangilinan, assistant national treasurer
  • Jose Gastardo, chief national commissioner
  • Cabadbaran City Mayor Dale Corvera, International Commissioner
  • Wendel Avisado, Secretary General

The election was held in the middle of a controversial issue involving an alleged P200-million deal between Alphaland and BSP, the subject of a Senate probe. (READ: Boy Scouts ‘so shortchanged’ in Alphaland deal – senators)

Asked about the issue, Avisado made an appeal to spare the organization that serves the youth, and said he would be the first to resign at any indication of anomalies within the institution.

“Huwag ‘nyo nang idamay yung mga bata, sobrang unfair sa kanila. Huwag niyo sana silang idamay sa pulitika. Kung may nakita akong kahit anong anomalya sa ‘min, ako mauuna mag-resign,” he said.

(Don’t drag the kids in this issue, it’s unfair to them. Don’t drag them into politics. If I see anything anomalous within our organization, I will be the first to resign.)

The Vice President’s former ally, former Makati mayor Ernesto Mercado, had accused Binay of using the BSP to obtain funds for his 2010 campaign. (READ: Did Binay use Boy Scout funds for 2010 bid?)

Both Binay and BSP officials have denied the allegations. – Rappler.com

 

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