Young blood

MANILA, Philippines - With the expected victory of political neophyte Nancy Binay as a new member of the Philippine Senate, the power of the Binay brand has been proven once more.

Actually, it would have been logical for her sister Abby, who was re-elected for her second term as a Makati Representative, to have been given the slot in the UNA due to her more solid experience and relevant educational background. But the elder Binay obviously knows his present political capital can help elect any member of his family for any position.

Of course, the pressure is now on Senator Nancy to prove that she shares more than the skin shade of her father. If she proves to be an asset in the new Senate, it will shut up her detractor and add more value to the Binay brand.

Inversely, if she proves to be nothing more than “your sister or mother” in the Senate without contributing anything significant (either in the debate or in passing new legislations), it might cause a backlash on his father’s presidential plans in 2016. The public could take it to mean that her father had abused their trust.

For our nation’s sake, I really hope she’ll prove to be a welcome surprise.