'President' Binay visits Benguet town

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Vice President Jejomar Binay is already being hailed as "President" in this town during his visit on Tuesday.

La Trinidad Mayor Edna Tabanda called Binay “Apo Presidente” as she welcomed the visiting official at the closed function area of the town hall.

The local chief executive reiterated it was not a slip of the tongue and announced that she supports Binay's presidential dream. She addressed Binay as "President" at least three times.

Binay, for his part, was very coy and shook Mayor Tabanda’s hands in obvious approval.

Ironically, the event's lady host addressed Binay thrice as "Mr. Vice Mayor." The host explained that her nervousness in the presence of Binay is making her call the second highest official the land as "vice mayor."

In the end, however, the lady host also addressed Binay as "President Jejomar Binay."

As the vice president addressed the audience, Binay alleged that the camp of presidential wannabe, incumbent Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, is monitoring his visits.

Binay lost to Roxas in Benguet in the 2010 vice presidential election.

“I lost in La Trinidad, and to tell you honestly in all towns in Benguet,” the vice president said.