'Groups spearheading black propaganda to smear Binay's image'

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay claimed yesterday that certain groups are now “building up a dossier” against him to block his chances of winning in the 2016 presidential elections.

Binay, who has admitted that he wants to become president of the country, said the group spreading black propaganda to smear his image is trying hard to revive old cases.

“Some of these cases have already been dismissed in court. Almost every week, I am receiving reports that some groups prepared dossier against me. They want to revive old cases against me,” Binay said.

[Here we go again. It’s politics. 2016 is still very far,” Binay added.

Binay said he knows the group behind the smear campaign against him, but he declined to identify them.

“To whom it may concern, you all know who you are,” Binay said.

Binay also downplayed rumors that he has already chosen a running mate for the 2016 presidential elections.

“I have not considered anyone yet. Assuming there are four aspirants (as his running mate), once I say one of the four will be my candidate for vice president, then starting this year the remaining three would already be my enemies,” Binay said.

Binay said that since the presidential election is four years away, it is too early to speculate about future political plans.

“Let us wait once 2016 is already near. I still have many things to do right now,” Binay said.

There were reports that Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, son of former President Joseph Estrada, and Sen. Francis Escudero are the possible running mates of Binay in the 2016 polls.

Escudero is also a possible senatorial candidate of the new coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that was formed by Binay’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) and Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

Binay said UNA had not yet completed their senatorial lineup for next year’s elections.