Binay, Abaya now ‘classmates’

FORT DEL PILAR, Baguio City, Philippines – Leaders of rival political coalitions in the May 13 elections are now “classmates.”

Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday took oath as honorary member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) class ‘88, making him a classmate of Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, acting president of the Liberal Party (LP).

LP leads the administration coalition Team PNoy, the rival of United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), headed by Binay.

Binay, a Marine reservist, took his oath before PMA Alumni Association (PMAAA) chairman Edgardo Batenga during a homecoming ceremony here. His oath taking marked the first time a PMA class swore in an honorary member in public.

PMA classes are allowed to adopt honorary members who they think share their advocacies and aspirations, causing controversies as the military institution is supposed to be insulated from partisan politics.

Asked for comment, Abaya said: “Ganun ang mundo (that’s the way the world is).”

Abaya retired early from the Philippine Navy in 2003 to seek a congressional post in Cavite.

Police Senior Superintendent Ferdinand Daway, president of PMA class ‘88, denied that the oath taking of Binay is related to the upcoming elections.

He said a Marine official who belongs to the class sponsored Binay to become an honorary member two to three years ago.

“It only happened that he was admitted only now by the PMAAA,” Daway said.

Names mixed up

On the other hand, what’s with military men that they tend to mix up names when addressing a huge crowd?

After Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., it was Binay’s turn to have his name mangled by a retired military officer.

During the homecoming in the Borromeo Field, Batenga introduced the Vice President as “Jojomor... Jejomor Cabauatan Binay.”

The blunder drew laughter from the crowd, as Batenga was not available to correct it.

Speaking to reporters after the event, Binay said it was not the first time someone called him by the wrong name.

“Until now, many fail to say it correctly. Some say Jojemar, others say Jayjomar or Jomar,” he said.

He explained that his name was derived from the names of members of the Holy Family – Jesus, Joseph and Mary.

The “Mar” part of his name also came from St. Martin of Tours, whose feast falls on Nov. 11, his birthday, he said.

During his retirement ceremony last month, former military chief Jessie Dellosa addressed Ochoa as Paquito Diaz, the late iconic character actor known for his villain roles.

Michael Ray attends homecoming

Meanwhile, PMA spokesperson Capt. Lynette Flores said a total of 1,968 PMA alumni or “cavaliers” attended yesterday’s homecoming, adding that they did not monitor any incident of politicking during the event.

Among key personalities present were former President Fidel Ramos, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former defense secretary Fortunato Abat, Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon, Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Lauro de la Cruz, Army chief Lt. Gen. Noel Coballes, and Coast Guard chief Rear Admiral Rodolfo Isorena.  

Also there was Michael Ray Aquino, a former police official tagged in the murder of publicist Salvador Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.