Rama: Binay as pres, Aquino as VP

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he is betting for BNoy – Vice President Jejomar Binay and President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III – as president and vice president, respectively, for the 2016 elections.

“Binay for President (and) Aquino for Vice President. What will stop that kind of a combination? And I am very serious about it,” said Rama.

Further justifying his choice of candidates, the mayor said there have been former presidents who now have lower positions like former President Joseph Estrada, now mayor of Manila.

“For political consideration… What is good for the country. Remember Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made herself available as congresswoman, then Estrada, after being president, made himself available as mayor. So why will you stop a young man?” expressed Rama.

For Rama, Aquino and Binay are also the best tandem considering that Aquino, based on Rama’s observation, has contributed to the country’s economic progress while Binay can handle politics well.

 “Who will question the economic gains that PNoy has been able to put the country up? Politika, that’s another question, but politics, Binay, he is a master of politics. He won as vice president so it must be the political genius in him,” Rama further said.

Binay and Aquino may come from opposing party lists, but this does not matter as they are friends, added Rama.

“There is a need to bring about what is best to the country. Combination of the politician and economist is what we need in this country. Both are friends, Aquino and Binay, they are all old friends and they both love the country,” said Rama.

“We will not end up having tug of wars but rather all agencies will be there complementing, supplementing, collaborating,” he added.

Based on the survey conducted by Pulse Asia last March 19 to 26, Binay topped the list of preferred candidates for president for the upcoming presidential elections.

The incumbent vice president obtained 40 percent of votes from the 1,200 respondents of the entire country.

Basing also on economic classes, Binay got 47 percent of classes A, B, and C or the rich and middle class; 42 percent of class D, the lower middle class; and 34 percent of class E, the poorest.

For the first quarter Pulse Asia survey, Binay also received majority approval and trust ratings, with a performance rating of 87 percent and a trust rating of 86 percent.

Placing second in the survey is Senator Grace Poe with 15 percent, followed by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, 10 percent; Senator Chiz Escudero, nine percent; Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, six percent; and Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., five percent. (FREEMAN)