If elected, Binay vows to work with Congress to avoid veto

MANILA, Philippines – Amid issues involving the presidential veto of the Social Security System (SSS) pension hike bill, Vice President Jejomar Binay said he would coordinate with all branches of the government before deciding on related matters if elected president.

Speaking to reporters after his arrival from the Middle East on Friday night, Binay said he has yet to read the contents of the bill that was vetoed by President Aquino.

He was surprised that the bill was vetoed even after it underwent a long process of deliberations in Congress.

“If the President doesn’t like it, he could have prevented it,” Binay said in Filipino, adding the deliberations had been a waste of time.

“If elected, on my first one hundred days in office I will talk with the congressmen and senators, and with the Supreme Court, so we won’t have a similar scenario,” he said.

President Aquino had been criticized for not regularly convening the Legislative- Executive Development Advisory Council to discuss pending legislation in Congress.

Reports said Aquino only convened the council twice during his administration.

Asked if he supports the SSS pension hike, Binay stressed the importance of improving the benefits for senior citizens, but would like to study and see first the effects of such a measure.

‘Humbled’

Binay welcomed the result of the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing his widening lead over his contenders in the presidential race.

“I am humbled by the results of the survey. I am thankful for the support and prayers of our countrymen with regard to the coming elections.”

The survey showed Binay is the most preferred candidate with 31 percent. He gained a five-point increase in the survey conducted in December.

Trailing him are Sen. Grace Poe with 24 percent; former interior secretary Manuel Roxas, 21 percent; Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, 20 percent, and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago with 3 percent.

Despite his improving performance, Binay said he would continue to go around the country to meet the public. – With Marvin Sy