MANILA, Philippines – Homecourt advantage?

Vice President Jejomar Binay is set to hold his miting de avance in Makati, the city he ruled as local chief executive for 21 years, on Saturday, May 7.

The miting de avance will be held at the intersection of Lawson Avenue, JP Rizal Street, and Kalayaan Avenue from 4 to 8 pm. 

His daughter, Second District Representative Abigail “Abby” Binay-Campos, who is running for mayor, will also hold her own miting de avance an hour before her father’s main event.

In a statement on Friday, May 6, Binay said he chose to hold his miting de avance in Makati as he was able to “successfully implement pro-poor programs and improve the lives of his constituents” there.

Binay’s top campaign promises include providing free healthcare and free books, school supplies, and uniforms to 20 million students, a large-scale version of the social services in Makati.

He also plans to abolish income tax for those earning P30,000 and below as well as expanding the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

A day before Binay returns home to Makati, he called for “unity and reconciliation” among Filipino voters.

“Sisimulan na natin ang pagbabagong magpapausbong ng pagkakaisa, ng pagpapalakas at paggalang sa ating mga demokratikong institusyon, ng paghilom ng mga lumang sugat ng pulitika at magbibigay ng ginhawa sa matagal nang nagdurusang mamamayan,” said Binay, who had promised to be a “unifying and healing president” if he wins.

(We will begin reforms that will lead to unity, that will strengthen our democratic institutions, heal old wounds in politics, and give comfort to our countrymen who have been suffering for a long time.)

During his miting de avance, Binay will be joined by his running mate, Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, and the rest of the UNA Senate slate.

Binay’s wish: Reconciliation post-elections

In his statement, the Vice President also brought up the multiple corruption allegations against him, the subject of a more than yearlong Senate probe.

Binay and his camp have repeatedly decried the invesigation as an attempt to derail his presidential bid. 

“Naging matindi po ang palitan ng masasakit na akusasyon hindi lamang ng mga kandidato kundi ng kanilang mga kapanalig. Sana po, pagkatapos ng eleksyon, ay magkakasundong muli ang lahat,” said Binay.

(There has been an intense exchange of hurtful accusations not only among the candidates but their supporters as well. I hope that after the elections, everyone will reconcile.)

The corruption allegations eventually took its toll on Binay. From leading presidential surveys in 2014, the Vice President now trails behind at 13% in the latest Social Weather Stations survey. 

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is enjoying the solo lead at 33%.

Hits vs Duterte, Roxas, Poe

Binay also took jabs against his rivals Duterte, Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II, and Senator Grace Poe.

“Sa Lunes, ika-9 ng Mayo, isang mahalagang yugto ng ating kasaysayan ang isusulat ng ating mamamayan. Magpapasya ang sambayanan kung itutuloy natin ang kasalukuyang pamamahala kung saan namamayani ang kapabayaan at kapalpakan,” said Binay, alluding to Roxas’ supposed inefficiency as former interior and transportation chief.

(On Monday, May 9, the people will write an important chapter in history. The nation will decide if we will continue the current leadership where neglect and failure exists.)

“Kung tuluyan nating isasadlak ang ating kinabukasan sa pamamayani ng isang mala-diktador na duguan ang mga kamay, at walang ginagalang kung ‘di ang sarili. Kung tatanggapin natin ang minsan nang tumalikod sa ating bayan kapalit ng ipinangakong ginhawa ng ibang bansa,” he said, alluding to Duterte and Poe.

(The people will decide if we will entrust our future in a dictator with bloodied hands, who does not respect anyone but himself. The people will decide if they will vote for a person who turned her back on our country for the promise of a better life abroad.)

The Vice President hopes voters would pick the candidate who can “unite the people and guide the nation towards progress.”

“Pagsulong, hindi pag-urong. Kapayapaan, hindi kaguluhan. Pagkakaisa, hindi pagka-watakwatak. Ginhawa, hindi pasakit. Paggalang, hindi pagsupil sa ating karapatan. ‘Yan po ang dalangin ni Jojo Binay para sa halalang Mayo 9, 2016,” he said. 

(Progress, not regress. Peace, not chaos. Unity, not discord. Relief, not suffering. Respect, not the suppression of rights. That’s the hope of Binay for the May 9, 2016 elections.) – Rappler.com