ShareThisThe Philippines is abuzz this week with news reports about Vice President Jejomar Binay admitting he is planning to run for President in 2016 – that’s less than five years away.
It would be the height of hypocrisy, he said, if he will not admit that he is not dreaming to become Philippine president, especially now that he is the second most powerful man of the country.
Binay’s announcement readily got mixed reactions. His allies and former presidential aspirants have good words about his aspiration, adding that he is well qualified for the post, being a lawyer, a former Metro Manila governor and Cabinet member and a long-time mayor of Makati which, under his watch, metamorphosed from a municipality to a city and one of the best cities of the country today in terms of financial resources, infrastructures and facilities, health, peace and order and job opportunities.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, an ally, who once ran for the presidency admitted that Binay did a premature act but then he was just expressing his intention. Enrile even added: “ Unless something spectacular happens against him and in favor of somebody else, he’s the next president of the country after Noynoy.”
Two other senators who ran but lost in the presidential elections – Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Sen. Panfilo Lacson – agreed that Binay has strong chances in the next presidential elections. Lacson added that the lack of strong contenders will be an advantage to Binay.
Sen. Edgardo Angara, while admitting Binay was well qualified, warned that his move might be a little too early. “Of course he’s qualified. My only misgiving is that the announcement came too early that will make him a target by potential rivals, so that would be to his disadvantage,” Angara said.
Critics may soon start feasting on Binay for his early announcement. But his statement that his chasing that “dream” to become President would have to take a backseat for now and that he would focus on his big responsibilities as a Cabinet member, housing czar and envoy to OFWs of the Aquino administration is enough assurance that he would rather concentrate on his work than talk about his political plans.