MANILA, Philippines – During a recent trip, Vice President Jejomar Binay sought support from his fraternity brothers based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Binay, who is running for president, spoke at the General Membership Meeting and Fellowship Night of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) in the UAE on Wednesday, January 13.
He called on his fellow APO members to help uplift the lives of Filipinos.
"Hindi ako natitinag sa aking paniniwala na kayong mga kapatid ko sa APO ay walang alinlangang tutugon at iaalay ang inyong mga sarili para sa ating pangarap na mai-angat ang kalidad ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino – sila man ay nasa loob o labas ng ating bayan. Ito ang pamana ng ating kapatiran," the Vice President said.
(I am steadfast in my belief that you, my APO brothers, will answer my call without hesitations and offer yourselves for our dream to improve the quality of life of each Filipino – whether they are in the Philippines or overseas. This is the legacy of our brotherhood.)
Binay, who was once presidential adviser on OFW concerns until his resignation in June 2015, said it is his dream that no Filipino will be forced to work abroad.
"Hangad kong katulad ninyo, ang mga Pilipinong mangingibang-bansa ay aalis lamang upang lalo pang malinang ang kanilang mga kakayahan," the Vice President added.
(I hope that like you, Filipinos going abroad will only leave because they want to improve their skills further.)
In a press statement, Binay's camp said the Vice President credits APO as one of the reasons for his victory in the 2010 elections. Binay joined the fraternity while he was in college at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Aside from talking to his fraternity brothers, Binay also met with Filipino workers in Abu Dhabi, as well as with UAE's crown prince and labor minister.
The Vice President returned home on Friday, January 15, with 5 abused OFWs. Binay said he, with help from friends and supporters, shouldered the cost of the OFWs' plane tickets.
On the same day of his return, a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey on voters' preference was released, showing Binay ranked first, followed by his opponents Senator Grace Poe, administration standard-bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II, and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
In response to that survey, administration coalition spokesperson Representative Ibarra Gutierrez took a swipe at Binay, saying he had been "campaigning" for the presidency ever since he was elected in 2010.
The Vice President has faced a string of corruption allegations stemming from infrastructure projects in Makati, alleged dummies, "rigged" biddings, and supposed ownership of a vast estate in Batangas province.
Binay has insisted he is merely a victim of political persecution. (READ: Binay's strategy of silence) – Rappler.com