Binay confident he can beat Roxas in presidential race

MANILA, Philippines - Judging from results of recent surveys, Vice President Jejomar Binay believes he can beat Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II in the 2016 presidential elections.

“I don’t want to sound boastful, but you can refer to surveys,” Binay told reporters in Cavite when asked if he thinks he can beat Roxas for the second time.

Binay won against Roxas in the 2010 vice presidential elections.

Roxas, who is lagging behind Binay and Sen. Grace Poe in surveys, is expected to be endorsed today by President Aquino as the administration’s standard-bearer.

Poe has overtaken Binay in the June 2015 presidential survey of the Social Weather Stations with 42 percent of the votes. Binay got 34 percent and Roxas 21 percent.

In the Pulse Asia June electoral survey, Poe also emerged as the most preferred successor to Aquino with 30 percent, followed by Binay with 22 percent. Roxas is tied with former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada at 10 percent.

The Vice President said he welcomes the addition of Roxas in the presidential race, as he compared their coming rematch to boxing.

“If in boxing, before we’re on lightweight, now maybe we’re on welterweight,” Binay said.

Asked if he can repeat his “lightweight” victory over Roxas, Binay replied, “I still have that lucky punch.”

But when asked if he thinks he can win in a three-way fight with Roxas and Poe, Binay said he would just let the people decide on who should be the country’s next president.

Binay also said he respects the decision of Aquino’s sisters and Sen. Francis Escudero not to support his presidential bid next year.

“Let’s respect their decision. On our part, my family is always willing to lend a hand to our friends,” he said.

Binay believes he still has the support of the President’s uncle, former Tarlac Rep. Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.

On Escudero, Binay said he expected the senator to take a different path in 2016 because he has his own political ambition.

Escudero is reportedly running for vice president with Poe as his presidential running mate.

The more the better

Binay spokesman JV Bautista said “dirty tricks” against the Vice President have not adversely affected him and with many personalities vying for the country’s top position, his chances of winning are brighter.

“The more divisors that they are, the better for him (Binay). His core support would stay there,” Bautista, secretary general of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said.

Bautista pointed out that Binay supporters in the provinces have remained loyal to him.

He said once the campaign period starts, Binay will have much time to further expand his core support.

He said Binay’s rise within a very short time was phenomenal. He was apparently referring to the come-from-behind victory of Binay against Roxas in the vice presidential race in 2010.

“What I’m saying is that it can be done. He did it before. He could do it again. It’s just a matter of bringing the message to the electorate,” he added.

Bautista also noted that President Aquino’s endorsement of Roxas would not be enough to improve the standing of the interior secretary in surveys.

“The incumbent president’s endorsements will always be a factor in our elections. In fact, it may be the only thing that Mar Roxas can hold on to. However, because of the dismal record of the present government in improving our people’s lives, the endorsement will not be enough to make Mar Roxas win,” he said.

Bautista said a win by Binay in next year’s presidential polls would erase lingering doubt on the latter’s victory over Roxas in 2010.

“He (Roxas) has been behind all the demolition jobs against VP Binay, although none of the charges has been proven. So, once and for all, let us have the ultimate showdown since Mar Roxas has been contesting the results of 2010,” he said. – With Non Alquitran