Teves optimistic of Binay victory in Negros Oriental

CEBU, Philippines - Former finance secretary Margarito Teves expressed optimism yesterday that Negros Oriental voters will favor Vice President Jejomar Binay this time unlike in the 2010 elections.

“Marami namang tumutulong na ngayon, maraming parallel organizations. Dumadami na rin ‘yong katulong niya sa politika,” Teves told the media in Sibulan, Negros Oriental when asked on Binay’s chances in the province in the coming elections, according to a GMA7 News Online report.

Negros Oriental has 785,712 registered voters for the May 2016 polls.

“So, i-combine mo ‘yon plus ‘yong nagawa na niya tsaka mas kilala na siya ngayon. So, makakatulong na rin ‘yon,” he added.

In the 2010 vice presidential polls, Binay lost to Mar Roxas in the province by a wide margin. Roxas received 257,234 votes while Binay only got 96,759.

Teves said that his family and many of his relatives are supporting Binay.

“Marami sa aming pamilya, mga kamag-anak, sumusuporta kay Vice President,” he said.

Teves is a former representative of the third district of Negros Oriental and former president of Land Bank of the Philippines.

Binay has tapped Teves to be his economic adviser. The former finance chief is behind the United Nationalist Alliance standard bearer’s fiscal policies.

Teves said Negros Oriental will benefit from a Binay presidency especially the healthcare system.

“One is (we will be) making sure that (there will be a) budget for hospitals especially those arising from the Sin Tax law, because the LGUs (local government units) have a share in the Sin Tax. So, a lot can be given to all the hospitals including Negros Oriental,” he said.

Binay conducted a motorcade and a mini-rally in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, he also had a motorcade and mini-rally in the municipalities of Siquijor and San Juan in Siquijor province. (FREEMAN)