Binaying

Vice President Jejomar Binay topped the latest Pulse Asia survey taken Feb. 26 to March 9 with an 84% approval rating and 80% trust rating. He got only 3% disapproval.

Binay scored higher than President Aquino who got 70% approval rating and 69% trust rating.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile jumped 11 points to a 71% approval rating. Speaker Feliciano Belmonte received a 41% approval rating.

SC Chief Justice Renato Corona got a miserable 14% approval rating.

The excellent rating of Vice President Binay is due to his being a workaholic on the go as he scored gains in the housing programs, OFW concerns and anti trafficking of women assignments. He is most visible in accepting invitations and is on a 24/7 schedule. He is active in the Boy Scouts movement.

Last week, he was in Agoo, La Union on Friday; Baguio, La Trinidad; Atok and Tublay Benguet on Saturday; at the PMA Sunday morning; then motored to Manaoag and Asingan, Pangasinan in the afternoon. On Monday he was in Leyte. On Tuesday he visited Borongan, Eastern Samar.

He has an easy to listen to style of speaking, fully connecting with the masa in his speeches. He is generous, too, distributing wheelchairs, computers, t-shirts in his visits. It is easy to see him at his Coconut Palace office.

Yes, he has set the highest standard of a public official at work 24/7. Shall we call it Binaying?

There is a widespread public perception even this early, VP Binay is well ahead for the 2016 presidential race.

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IMPEACHMENT REPORT . . Day 33 saw the defense demolishing the charge of the prosecution that CJ Corona owned 45 properties.

The defense and many Senators got LRA Administrator Eulalio Diaz III to admit he prepared the list but did not review it and in his search, 17 cancelled titles and 12 titles not registered in the name of Renato or Cristina Corona were included.

That brought the number down to 16. Remove the 7 lots bought by Demetrio Vicente and 3 parking lots, that brought the number to 6 as pointed out by Senator Ralph Recto.

The claim of 45 assets owned by CJ Corona released to the public by prosecution spokesperson, Cong. Miro Quimbo must have contributed to public perception that CJ Corona is guilty. This explains why 47% said he is probably guilty if not definitely guilty. It is only fair that the survey should have been taken after the defense has finished presenting its case.

Sen. Miriam D. Santiago should file charges against LRA Administrator Eulalio Diaz III for violations of the Revised Penal Code.

Day 34 saw the presentation of former Manila Mayor Joselito Atienza who testified that the City of Manila paid Cristina Corona in trust for BGEI P34.7 million for the purchase of a piece of land in Legarda, Sampaloc, Manila.

The Senate is now on Holy Week recess. Trial resumes May 7 with the defense continuing to present its evidences.

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GOOD NEWS . . The NEDA approved 12 projects worth P133 billion, including the extension of LRT-1 to Bacoor, Cavite.

Ayala land is investing P60 billion for a 5-year development plan for Makati.

Gold Fields, Limited, the world’s 4th largest gold producer is applying for a financial technical assistance agreement (FTAA) to develop Lepanto’s Far Southern projects.

The House of Representatives has passed 2 bills removing two onerous tax billings on common carriers, one major reason foreign airlines have left the country.

Good news for Cebu. Gov. Gwen Garcia has signed a P702-million joint venture agreement with Ayala Corp. for a bulk water supply for Metro Cebu.

Donggwang Clark Corp. (DCC), a Korean firm, is investing $400 million for a 304 hectare Tourism Estate in Clark, starting with a P200 million 36 hole golf course and clubhouse. The project plans to hire 2,000 workers by 2016.

Donggwang is currently building 3 office towers in Clark.

The agreements have been signed. Now let’s see the implementation.

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WASTED WATER . . On the occasion of World Water Day, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said 70% of the country’s available water of 160 billion cubic meters is wasted or lost.

The bulk of rain water is not caught by irrigation systems as there are still many areas without any irrigation system or existing systems do not have enough canals. Public buildings have no rain capturing devices.

The DENR study also pointed out that many rivers are polluted and the water goes to waste.

As we pointed out several columns back, there is a need for a master plan for water which up to now has not been formulated.

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TIDBITS . . . Pagsanjan, Laguna Mayor Maita Ejercito Estregan announced the holding of the annual Bangkero Festival on March 27-31. The 4-day festival will feature regattas, street dancing, a brass band competition, a trade fair and the search for Binibining Pagsanjan.

The Senate committee on local governments chaired by Sen. Bongbong Marcos has conducted a hearing on House Bill 4820 creating the province of Nueva Camarines.

Sen. Gringo Honasan has filed Senate Bill 3161 pegging the VAT on oil to 10% once the price of crude oil reaches $100 per barrel. The VAT will be further reduced by 1% for every $10 increase over $100. Good idea.

Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol is the candidate for Iggy Arroyo’s seat of the United Negros Alliance (UNA) headed by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.

Greetings to avid readers Justice Bobby Abad, Justice Agustin Dizon, Dr. Jess Perez, Frank Daland, Atty. Albert Daland, Peter Mar, Dean Rocky Villanueva and former Senator Freddie Webb.

Thank you for the birthday greetings sent by Sen. Greg and Jane Honasan, Chairman Bong Naguiat, Boy and Cora Tibayan, Charlie Nique and Robert Coyiuto.