Senior citizens' group airs support for Binay

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s largest association of senior citizens declared its support for the vice presidential bid of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay Friday.

Around 200 senior citizens belonging to the Federation of Senior Citizens Affairs of the Philippines (FSCAP), which participated in the two-day first national general assembly held at the Makati City session hall, presented Binay with a manifesto of support for his vice presidential bid.

The FSCAP, led by president Eliseo Lachica and secretary Romeo Allam, said they are supporting Binay’s candidacy because of his leadership qualities and his concern for the poor, particularly for senior citizens.

They thanked Binay for pressing President Arroyo to sign the bill exempting senior citizens from the 12 percent Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT).

They said the EVAT is a cruel imposition on the elderly since it reduced to only eight percent the discount provided by the law on their purchase of medicine and other basic items.

Binay said it was the concerted action of senior citizens that pressured Arroyo to sign the bill. “This is a lesson to the national government. Never underestimate our senior citizens. We are very conscious of our rights and we do not have second thoughts about making our sentiments known,” he said.

Binay vowed to press for more benefits for the elderly if he is elected as vice president. – Jose Rodel Clapano