‘Worst is over for Binay’

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay believes the “worst is over” as far as the attacks against him are concerned, his spokesman said yesterday.

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Binay’s spokesman for political concerns, said the Vice President has remained focused on his work amid the various corruption allegations thrown against him by his political opponents.

“Actually, the worst is over for him. After all that had happened, after the many allegations they hurled against him, he is focused on work,” Remulla said.

“Whatever they want to bring out against the Vice President, let them bring it out. But for him, first and foremost is work,” he said, adding that Binay is confident about his record of public service.

Remulla said Binay will be in Davao and Cebu next week to oversee the government’s housing projects in the provinces.

Binay chairs the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

“He will be coordinating housing matters assigned to him by the President,” Remulla said.

The Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee is expected to present on Tuesday the results of its ocular inspection of the allegedly overpriced Makati Science High School building.

Remulla also said last Thursday that Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV – one of Binay’s chief accusers in the Senate – is expected to release pictures of the Magdalo soldiers at the piggery owned by Binay in Batangas.

The senator had linked Binay to the failed coup attempt against former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2007.

Remulla said Binay gave jobs to Magdalo soldiers at Makati City Hall and at his piggery in Rosario, Batangas, after the failed Oakwood mutiny and Manila Peninsula takeover.

Remulla reiterated that the Vice President did not play any part in the planning of the failed coup attempt.

He said Binay, who was then the mayor of Makati City, was asked to participate but he declined.

Remulla said the Vice President understands that the ongoing Senate inquiry on his alleged ill-gotten wealth is part of the plan to derail his chances in the 2016 presidential elections.

“He fully understands that the scrutiny he is facing is part of the process of aspiring for higher office. He is now concentrating on preparing for a presidency meant to uplift the lives and restore the faith of the Filipino people in effective governance,” Remulla said.

Despite the drop in ratings attributed to the Senate probe, Binay remains the leading presidential contender for 2016 based on surveys.

Binay has declined the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s invitation to attend its probe last Nov. 6 to answer the accusations against him.

He had also backed out from his Nov. 27 debate with Trillanes.