Binay plays ‘Santa’ to VSMMC patients

CEBU, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay, on behalf of his daughter, Senator Nancy Binay, yesterday visited Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to distribute Christmas presents to some of the patients.

“Ako’y nandito bilang isang messenger. Hindi makapunta si Nancy, so ako ang narito,” said Binay.

The vice president toured the hospital for more than an hour, greeting hospital staff and cheering patients especially the children confined at the ward.

Binay gave out seve-ral bags inscribed with the words “Be Nice” to the patients.

Each bag contains fruits that allegedly came from his daughter. Members of the media observed that the recipients were wearing a white polo shirt printed with the words “Tatak Binay.”

Binay said that he was sorry that he can no longer give a project like hospital building because his office no longer have pork barrel.

Asked if his two-day visit in Cebu was already part of his campaign for 2016 presidential elections, Binay said: “Mahirap sagutin yan. Dahil ako, bilang incumbent na bise presidente, nagtatrabaho lang ako at ang trabaho ng bise presidente ay magtrabaho.”

Binay also visited the towns of Ronda, Dumanjug, Sibonga, and the City of Carcar on Sunday where he distributed more than 6,000 packs of relief goods and cash assistance to the families of the victims of typhoon Seniang.

Amidst the allegations of corruption and the expected resumption of the Senate investigation against him, Binay remained steadfast and appeared to be undisturbed.

“Hayaan mo na lang sila. Alam naman natin na yan ay pawang mga kasinungalingan,” Binay said.

He also promised assistance for the families of the Filipino seafarers who remain missing because of the sinking of a Norwegian registered cargo vessel in Vietnam.

“Tutulungan natin ang mga pamilya nila,” said Binay.  (FREEMAN)