Binay gets booed by Sinulog crowd

CEBU, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay was booed twice by the crowd at the Cebu City Sports Center as he and his running mate, Senator Gregorio Honasan, joined suspended Mayor Michael Rama at the grand stand to open the Sinulog Grand Parade.

“Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan. Viva Pit Senyor,” Binay greeted the spectators but some booed him in return.

“Wala akong narinig,” said Binay when asked for comment.

Rama said he also did not hear anything negative from the crowd towards Binay.

“Its political season but it is just unfortunate Cebuanos maybe the temperature is getting higher. They can even afford to suspend me so they can afford to boo,” said Rama referring to his suspension by Malacañang.

Rama said that the booing cannot be taken that Cebuanos have no manners in general.

“It cannot be as only a few who have no manners. So, do not bring the whole because we are a people imbued with teachings of good manners and right conduct. The political temperature can bring certain isolated political immaturity,” said Rama.

“Wala ko kadungog. Gamay ra to sila and I don’t even have to think. The boo is not important to me. We have to work hard. My president will be the next president,” said Rama, an ally of Binay.

Joey Salgado, head of the Office of the Vice President Media Affairs, said that Binay has been attending Sinulog since 2010 and his presence is nothing new.

“We have received reports it came from the LP contingent. If this is true, it’s just unfortunate that they behaved the way they did. But we understand where they were coming from. Alam namin na masama ang kanilang loob dahil leading sa presidential survey si VP Binay, maging sa Visayas,” said Salgado.

Ethel Natera, Cebu Province information officer, said the Capitol contingent was not yet inside the CCSC when Binay got booed.

Some of the LP senatorial candidates were part of the Capitol contingent led by Governor Hilario Davide III.

The Sinulog Grand Parade attracted several candidates vying for national positions in the coming may elections. Leading the pack was Binay who was with most of the senatorial slate of his party, the United Nationalist Alliance.

They were given VIP seats that can be seen by the people inside the CCSC.

Binay’s entourage included his running mate, and UNA senatorial candidates Alma Moreno, Alan Montano, Jacel Kiram, Harry Roque, and Getulio Napenas.

The ruling Liberal Party candidates were not at all in the disadvantage as they have Davide on their side. The LP senatorial candidates walked along the parade route and unto the stage at the grandstand like dancers of the Capitol contingent.

Those tagging along the Capitol contingent included Leila De Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Joel Villanueva.

Senatorial Candidate Richard Gordon has his own way in going around Sinulog crowd checking on each of the Philippine National Red Cross First Aid booths. He said that he needs to let the Red Cross men on the ground know that their work is being appreciated. —/FPL (FREEMAN)