Binay picks Cebu again over Senate hearing

CEBU, Philippines - For the second time, beleaguered Vice President Jejomar Binay snubbed the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in Manila and flew to Cebu where he told Lapu-Lapu City residents that he aims to replicate his accomplishments in Makati to the rest of the country if he wins the presidential race in 2016.

“Gusto ko ho kung ano ang nagawa ko sa Makati, magawa ko rin po sa buong Pilipinas,” he said during a gathering in Barangay Basak mid-afternoon yesterday.

He also announced that Barangay Basak will ink a sisterhood agreement with Barangay San Antonio in Makati.

He said he wants all senior citizens to enjoy the same high benefits granted to senior citizens in Makati where he used to serve as mayor.

Basak Barangay Captain Isabelito Darnayla said the advice on Binay’s visit came late but students, families and residents in the barangay still managed to greet the vice president.

“Totally instant ang advice gikan sa Manila nga muari si Binay sa among barangay,” Darnayla said.

Darnayla said he hopes that Binay will give financial aid to senior citizens in the barangay and help materialize a housing project for the urban poor. The barangay also wants to build a senior citizens center.

“Maghinaut ta nga naa siya’y ihatag sa barangay… Totally wala pa, mangayo pa siguro mi ni vice president,” he said.

Barangay Basak has the highest population of informal settlers in Lapu-Lapu City.

Before the activity in Lapu-Lapu City, Binay participated in a boodle fight in Barangay Tisa, Cebu City where he told students and teachers of Tisa National High School that he will fight for an increase in teachers’ salary and build more classrooms should he becomes president.

“In the Philippines, education is the best social equalizer. Kapag wala kang tinapos, kawawa ka ditto… Huwag kayong mag-alala, kung ano po ang nagawa ko sa Makati (in terms of the education), ito po ang mangyayari sa Pilipinas,” he added.

He said he came to Cebu to follow-up on different issues like the status of the controversial 93-1 lot, informal settlers, and those living in the danger zones, among others.

“Noong pumunta ako dito, pina follow-up ko ang 93-1 kasi pinangako namin na gagawin yun eh pero may constraints yun eh, yung mga documentations at considerations ng cost kung magkano nila bibilhin,” Binay said.

Cebu City’s Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor chief Collin Rosell said the city is thankful of Binay’s efforts to help resolve the long standing issue.

Rosell said Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has proposed P500 million to be included in the city’s annual budget to purchase 93-1 properties.

Not attending

Still in Barangay Tisa, Binay said he has no plans of attending any of the hearings at the Senate.

“If you know that it has been pre-judged already, if you know hihiyain ka, if you know tatakutin ka, ano pa ang purpose nun?” he said.

Binay was invited to appear in the Senate hearing to shed light on allegations of overpricing in the construction of the Makati City Hall II parking building, as well as other projects from who he alleged profited.

Binay said that if he will appear in the hearings, he will not be speaking as a resource speaker to help in the investigation, but as an “accused.”

“Ganyan na lang ang tendency niyan. They will accuse me, thinking that people will believe them. Ito panay kasinungalingan lang, eh,” he said.

Aside from the controversies in Makati, Binay is also being accused of using dummies to conceal his alleged ill-gotten wealth, including a 350-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas and condominium units. – (FREEMAN)