UNA claims Cebu is ‘Binay country’

CEBU, Philippines - Even with only two incumbent mayors in Cebu present at the Visayas-wide launch yesterday, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) claimed that Cebu is for Vice President Jejomar Binay in 2016.

“Cebu is Binay Country,” a tarpaulin at the Cebu Coliseum reads.

“Thank you, Cebu. Ang gagawin ko kapag akoy mananalo, i-angat ko ang kabuhayan lalong-lalo na sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan hindi lang sa Cebu kundi sa buong bansa,” Binay said.

Binay’s reported running mate, Senator Gregorio Honasan II, was noticeably absent at yesterday’s sortie with Binay responding “secret” when asked why this was so.

“Abangan na lang ninyo sa Monday. Basta kami  sa UNA, UNA na, Bingo pa,” Binay said.

Bingo is wordplay for Binay and Gringo. The party also distributed “Bingo” biscuits after the launch.

Among local officials, only Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Toledo Mayor John “Sonny” Osmeña were around.

Osmeña said he is supporting Binay because of the help the vice president has given Toledo.

“Mo-support ko ni Binay kay daghan na siya og natabang sa Toledo. Si Mar Roxas, wala. Si Presidente Aquino niadto na sa Toledo wa gani na nagpasalamat. Gipagutman pa gyud mi,” Osmeña said.

Former mayors Maria Luisa Loot (Daan Bantayan), Richie Wagas, (Compostela) and Ramon “Boy” Durano (Danao City) came to support together with politicians from Southern Leyte, Bohol, Panay, and Negros Oriental.

In his speech, Binay slammed the Aquino administration for its alleged failure to address the poverty problem in the Visayas, which worsened when typhoon Yolanda hit the region in 2013.

“Ang tugon sa mga krisis at kalamidad, kulang na kulang, nangabubulok sa taguan at kapos sa kalinga. Ilang taon na ang nakalilipas ang mga kalamidad gaya ng bagyong Yolanda at ang mga lindol na tumama sa Cebu at Bohol, marami pa rin sa ating kababayan sa Kabisayaan ang hindi nakatatanggap ng tulong na ipinangako at dapat ipamigay sa kanila ng pamahalaan,” Binay said.

“Nais nilang ipagpatuloy ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon na laganap pa rin ang kahirapan. Marami ang nagugutom. At milyun-milyon ang naghahanap ng trabaho… At sa paglipas ng taon ng pamamahala ng kasalukuyang administrasyon, lalong nalubog sa kahirapan ang marami nating kababayan sa buong bansa lalo na sa Kabisayaan,” he added.

Binay cited the administration’s reluctance to reform the current tax system as a source of the people’s frustration.

He outlined his three-point agenda: “Una, paano ibabangon ang ating bansa mula sa kahirapan. Pangalawa, paano mabibigyan ng trabaho ang milyun-milyon nating kababayan. At pangatlo, paano aayusin at itatama ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa taumbayan.”

Yesterday, UNA presented three of its senatorial candidates, including UP law professor Harry Roque, Sulu Princess Jaycel Kiram, and former actress and now president of the Philippine Councilor’s League, Alma Moreno.

Local counterparts

Also yesterday, the members of Partido Panaghiusa Panerbisyo - Team Rama led by the mayor took their oath at the UNA launch.

Rama is seeking re-election together with Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

Rama said yesterday’s launch was part of Team Rama’s activities toward the filing of its candidates’ Certificate of Candidacy next week. He, however, refused to disclose the exact date they will file the documents.

He said that even with elections in mind, Team Rama members who hold positions at the City Hall still prioritize their jobs.

“We will be coming to the barangays. It is like Santa Claus is coming to town in advance as we go to the barangays,” Rama said.

“They have already the barangay aid. I would like to have it turned over and be able also to take a look at and that will also be an opportunity to check what other things the barangay will need,” he added.

He assured his visits to the barangay as mayor will not be used to campaign for his team.

The Commission on Elections has set the certificate of filing of candidacy on October 12 to 16, 2015. — (FREEMAN)