Binay exhorts boy scouts: Follow rules, obey leaders

CEBU, Philippines - In his second stay in Cebu after skipping a Senate committee hearing last Thursday, Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday spoke before boy scouts and urged them to “follow the rules, obey your leaders” and grow into useful citizens of the country.

The vice president told the scouts to internalize the values of discipline, punctuality, cooperation, self-reliance, and brotherhood.

“Follow the rules, obey your leaders. Be a humble follower today and learn to lead tomorrow. This is the most important part of learning how to lead. Follow simple rules, achieve a big objective,” he said.

Binay told the scouts to grow wiser and full of hope not just for themselves and their families but also for the country.

He was the guest speaker during the culmination of a two-day Boy Scouts of the Philippines jamboree attended by 4,000 boy scouts in Kalunasan, Cebu City.

He told the scouts that the jamboree was not just on completing a requirement for a badge but should be more about discipline and gaining self-worth.

With him were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Valenzuela Representative Sherwin Gatchalian, Buhay Partylist Representative Lito Atienza, and several scout masters from all over the country.

Binay also told the scouts, who came from all over the Visayas, that since the jamboree was in celebration of 100 years of scouting in the country, the movement is turning a new chapter in the country.

“Today we start day one of another centennial year of scouting and growth. And today we make a simple wish for our movement: to see our scouts grow together in days of work and play,” said Binay.

The jamboree, held at the Capitol Hills Camp in Cebu City, ends today.

Early morning yesterday, Binay also visited Cebu City public markets for three hours along with city officials, resulting in traffic congestion in some areas.

Binay, Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, barangay officials allied with Team Rama, walked from the Senior Citizen’s Park across the City Hall to Carbon Public Market, the earthquake-damaged Pasil Fish Market, and the San Nicolas Gym.

The last stop was the Taboan Public Market, where Binay, local officials, Atienza and Gatchalian participated in a “boodle fight.”

Cebu City Prevention Restoration Order Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) Chief Raquel Arce said they prepared food good for a thousand of people.

Binay thanked Cebuanos for the “warm welcome.” When it was Rama’s turn to speak, he told the crowd to meet the “umaabot nga presidente” (the incoming president).

Inquired on the purpose of their walkthrough, Binay said he wanted to be closer to the people.  —Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/RHM (FREEMAN)