Binay picking Marcos as running mate?

MANILA, Philippines - Will Vice President Jejomar Binay pick Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as his running mate for the 2016 presidential elections?

Binay, during the Mindanao-wide launch of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Misamis Oriental, told reporters yesterday that he has talked with Marcos to discuss the potential tandem in next year’s polls.

He said they are still threshing out matters, but hinted that the party is close to reaching a decision.

UNA spokesperson Mon Ilagan said talks between Binay and Marcos on Friday were recommended by the party’s selection committee, which has communicated with the senator on previous occasions.

Ilagan said nothing was final yet, although a Binay-Marcos tandem seemed to be shaping up.

The STAR yesterday reported that the opposition party is looking at Marcos or Sen. Gregorio Honasan as possible running mate of Binay. Sources said the party could announce Binay’s running mate early this week.

Honasan is UNA vice president and earlier said he is interested in running for a higher position. Marcos is a member of the Nacionalista Party, which was allied with the administration-led coalition in the 2013 senatorial elections.

The UNA launched its Mindanao slates in Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental with more than 5,000 supporters witnessing the event.

Accompanying the Vice President were Senate aspirants Harry Roque, Princess Jacel Kiram and Alma Moreno. Roque is a lawyer, Kiram the daughter of the late sultan of Sulu and Moreno is Philippine Councilors League (PCL) president.

The half-day affair was attended by representatives, provincial board members and mayors from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and their supporters, and delegates from the host province of Misamis Oriental.

Among those present were Fahad Salic, outgoing Marawi City mayor who is eyeing the gubernatorial post in Lanao del Sur; Sulu Mayor Radzma Jaca and Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano.

Binay, in a different sortie with business communities, promised to conduct regular consultations among the three branches of government to prevent delays in implementation of projects often delayed by court proceedings, if elected as president.

He also pledged to convene the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and the Judicial Executive Legislative Advisory Council (JELAC) at least once every quarter.

He said the meetings will “promote a better understanding on key issues requiring the support of the judiciary and Congress, and facilitate a consensus and even faster, but sound, decisions on key policy issues.”

“For instance, the controversy over the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) could have been prevented or even resolved properly if only the President had consulted the judiciary and legislative branches,” he added.

Rico Quicho, Binay’s spokesperson for political affairs, said the projects implementation would have been faster had Aquino regularly convened the LEDAC and JEDAC.

 “President Aquino complained about slow court proceedings that allegedly caused the delay of some major projects, but this could have been avoided had he convened representatives from the executive, judicial and legislative departments to thresh out issues affecting the country,” Quicho said yesterday, adding that the consultations are needed “to arrive at a consensus on handling major issues affecting our people and the economy.”

Binay also vowed to periodically meet and consult with the business sector to listen to their concerns and insights.

“We shall allow businessmen, our partners in economic growth and development, and other stakeholders, to freely say the good and the bad. Together, we can arrive at win-win situations,” he said.

Binay backs higher SUC budget

The Binay camp also expressed support for a multi-party resolution at the House of Representatives, calling for an increase in the budget of state universities and colleges (SUCs).

“As a product of the nation’s premier university, the Vice President is happy that our SUCs are being given the proper attention they deserve in Congress. Education should always be a priority and he thanks those who crossed party lines to push for higher funding,” Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado said yesterday.With Gerry Lee Gorit