EDITORIAL - A mountain of challenges

In his first Cebu invasion this year, Vice President JejomarBinay visited areas in the south ravaged by Typhoon Seniang last week. Aside from distributing relief goods to the storm victims, Binay also extended financial assistance to the families of the casualties.

His visit the other day came as Filipinos continue to search for the truth surrounding the allegations of corruption hurled against him and his family over undeclared assets and overpriced projects implemented during his previous position.  

In fact, every time the Senate would convene an inquiry into the allegations last year, he was quick to reject any invitation, opting to visit the countryside and rubbing elbows with the poor rather than facing the issue before the senators who, he claims, are only doing a political persecution. 

And Cebu was his favorite destination. For several occasions last year, Cebu hosted the vice president as he stormed slum sections around the metro and areas devastated by typhoons across the province.          

Of course, his countryside sorties can be construed as part of his preparations for the next national elections. As the man to beat in 2016, Binay seems to be leaving no stone unturned to make sure the controversies hounding him won't affect his candidacy.

However, it remains to be seen whether Binay can weather the storm. That is because this year will see his political detractors launching more assaults against him in the hope of weakening his momentum in the run up to the next elections.

So we can only expect an immediate continuation of the Senate inquiry. And once it resumes, we can also expect to witness more offensives from his opponents who are now gathering more evidence to bolster their allegations.   

Of course, the allegations undeniably affected Binay's political ambitions. In fact, a survey late last year revealed he is no longer the most trusted government official in the land. So his camp cannot always say he is bound to emerge from this debacle unscathed because what lies ahead of the next presidential derby is a mountain of challenges.