When VP Jejomar Binay had first opted for the DILG portfolio, many virtually lynched him as early pre-positioning himself of his ambition for the highest post six years hence.
Well, one plus one isn't necessarily two in politics. So, there have been some reactions that the newly-elected VP has been so overwhelmed by his unexpected (?) victory over Senator Manuel Roxas - almost a sure rival bet for the Palace in year 2016 - that Binay could feather his cap better once he now heads the DILG.
Perhaps, non-Liberal Party Jojo Binay might have been so heat up for the bright chance, because overseeing the DILG actively would have been heap and dandy to cement a political base, and boost government network linkage with the provincial governors, city and town mayors, and barangay officials. Develop and cultivate that for six years with ever-growing rapport, and presto, an impregnable force to reckon with.
In fairness to wizened Napoleon-like Binay with LGU political sphere in Makati City, no less, he had a ready repartee, that is, in his long experience with local government exposure, it's in DILG that he could have contributed much to President Noynoy's admin.
But then, President Noynoy might have sensed a more wily plot and, Senator Mar Roxas might have also added fuel to that fire, that granting Jojo the coveted post of the DILG would certainly lessen the Roxas comeback 6 years later, as it also certainly strengthens Binay's chances in 2016 in an inevitable Palace repeat between the two then VP rivals.
Feeling obviously hurt for being rebuffed on his sincere offer to help, granting that; or for being caught in a bluff, subjunctively put, Makati's "niño bonito" spat fire and venom when President Noynoy subsequently proffered any of four posts: The DENR, the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Truth Commission to prosecute GMA, or the HUDCC on urban development.
The VP lamented that his opting for the DILG has been blown out of proportion. His preference for the DILG was an honest view "of how I can best contribute to the administration" obviously on account of his long experience with the Makati LGU as the City Mayor. Unfortunately, it had been misinterpreted by detractors as sort of pre-positioning for a presidential strategy for later.
Binay further commented that it's clear that he is not "a member of the team" as he's not an LP and "not an LP supporter". In turning down President Noynoy Aquino's offer of any of the aforesaid positions, VP Jojo Binay has made it final that "I want to work as vice-president where I was elected". He stressed that he "will make the rounds all over the country which is part of the functions of the second highest official of the land", and "conduct consultations with the people".
Whether or not VP Binay's future plan for the presidency has been nipped in the bud in the interim, or has been misunderstood unduly of his good intentions, is now moot and academic. Meantime, it's a waste not to have harnessed the experience on LGU governance of the Vice-President. To the cynical minds, they might chuckle that the VP, waiting as a "presidential spare tire", should stay healthy and be ready when, God forbid, the need may arise.
Hence, it's practical and wise to ponder over the American system wherein a vote for the US presidential aspirant in the elections, ipso facto carries that of his vice-presidential pair. If one recalls right from high school US history, the Americans found practical continuity value of a similar party tandem, such that, the system has become one of the 26 amendments of the US Constitution.To recall, this further weakened the then Republican Party bannered by Senator John McCain when he picked then Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, still wet in the ears and politically naïve, for his vice-presidential bet, against Democratic Senator Barack Obama and Senator Joe Biden.
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Email: lparadiangjr@yahoo.com