Vice President Jejomar Binay vists another bailiwick on the third day of the campaign period — Cavite.
In exchange for securing votes for him the province, Binay has a reward for ally and incumbent Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla.
Mara Cepeda reports. - Rappler.com
Vice President Jejomar Binay heads to Cavite, another provincial stronghold, on the third day of the official campaign period. In 2010, Binay beat then Liberal Party vice presidential bet Mar Roxas by around 200,000 votes.
After six years and with both political rivals neck and neck in the presidential race, will Cavite once again prove that it is Binay country?
Vice President and United Nationalist Alliance presidential bet Jejomar Binay tours Cavite City, Noveleta, and Kawit. He is comfortable here becase his ally Governor Jonvic Remulla adopted him in the local Partido Magdalo as a member.
Remulla assures that Cavite, where Binay won over Mar Roxas in 2010 by around 194,000 votes, will secure a win for the UNA standard-bearer. There are over 1.84 million registered voters in Cavite for the May polls.
JONVIC REMULLA, CAVITE GOVERNOR: I know you’re looking for someone who will help you like how Jojo Binay did in Makati. I know you’re looking forward to a hospital like in Makati where everything is free. I know you’re looking for care for our senior citizens like how Jojo Binay did it in Makati. I know the poor will only find hope in Jojo Binay.
If he wins the presidency, Binay says he already has a reward in mind for Remulla.
JEJOMAR BINAY, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Local government officials, I have news for you. I am making Governor Jonvic as the next secretary of the interior and local government. Why did I choose him? Because the issue now is about who has the capability and the experience for the job.
But can Binay emerge victorious in the province in the coming elections?
Caviteños who voted for him in 2010 say they will vote for Binay again in May even if he's hounded by corruption allegations during his time as Makati Mayor.
ROSITA NACIONAL, BINAY SUPPORTER: Of course! Whatever happens, we’re supporting him.
RAPPLER: Why are you supporting him?
ROSITA NACIONAL, BINAY SUPPORTER: Because they’re saying that he’s a thief and yet they can’t prove it. How dare them!
EVELYN BAUTISTA, DUTERTE SUPPORTER: Even if they’re saying he overpriced city projects, that’s okay because he accomplished many things when he was Makati Mayor. That includes building a hospital with free equipment and services. We’re okay with that. That’s better than those who are actually corrupt and didn’t do anything to help others.
Binay takes this to be a good sign.
JEJOMAR BINAY, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Because of your warm welcome, I am sure that I will win the coming elections.
Securing the Caviteño vote will be key if Binay wants to rise up from his second place finish in the latest presidential survey.
Binay hopes that months of partnerships with local officials will boost his presidential bid.
But with his supporters unfazed by corruption allegations against him, Binay can only hope that scoring a repeat win in Cavite isn't farfetched.
Mara Cepeda, Rappler, Cavite