Binay 2010

PHILIPPINE NEWS SERVICE — MAKATI Mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar “Jojo” Binay announced his acceptance of the call for him to run as president in the 2010 national elections, at a rally attended by some 30,000 cheering supporters at the football field of the new University of Makati along J.P. Rizal St., Guadalupe, Makati.

“In accepting this challenge, I commit myself to lead all Filipinos, but especially those who have known nothing but hardships and suffering, out of this dark period of economic and social troubles, to a new era of change, hope and prosperity for all,” Binay proclaimed.

Mel Adriano, national president of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity, the largest in the country and of which Binay is a distinguished member, read out an impassioned manifesto calling on Binay to run for president in 2010.

Simultaneous motorcades and rallies echoing the call for Binay’s 2010 candidacy were also held in other key cities and regions around the country, led by the group BRODDS (Band of Brothers and Sisters in Service), a volunteer organization pushing for social and political action through citizens’ service.

Binay’s candidacy will be anchored on a 12-point program that directly addresses pressing social, economic and political issues through a harmonious partnership between the government and the private sector, similar to that which he adopted during his 15-year tenure as Makati’s top local executive and signaled the city’s rise as the country’s commercial and financial capital.

Binay’s presence was likewise felt at a rally in Jolo, where he hopes to bring his message of peace and hope to one of the country’s most strife-torn areas.

In Cebu, the BRODDS contingent opted to fly “Binay kites” at the Mactan reclamation site in support of Binay’s candidacy.

In Jaro, Iloilo, the pro-Binay motorcade and rally was led by Binay’s brothers from the APO (Alpha Phi Omega) fraternity, who concluded the day’s activities by participating in the construction of the Gawad Kalinga’s Jaro City project.

Simultaneous rallies were also held in Naga City and the Bicol region, Davao City and Zamboanga City.

MANILA, Philippines - In what seemed a prelude to a campaign for the 2010 polls, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay embarked on a three-day visit to Quezon province to announce his presidential bid.

A radio report said Thursday that Binay, who is also the president of the United Opposition, arrived in Quezon on Wednesday “to reach out to the masses” and would be staying there until Friday.

A radio dzXL report said that upon his arrival, Binay immediately signed a memorandum of agreement with the local officials in the province, declaring the cities of Makati and Lucena as “sister cities.”

During his trip, Binay announced his intention to battle it out in the 2010 presidential elections.

The radio report quoted officials from the province’s 33 municipalities as welcoming the Makati mayor’s announcement.

On his second day in Quezon, Binay dropped by a public market in Lucena City and even had breakfast at an eatery there.

Aside from Lucena City, Binay also visited Tayabas City and the towns of Tiaong, Candelaria, and Lucban.

Binay had also participated in a public consultation with locals from different sectors in the province.

During the consultation, Binay boasted of the achievements of the Makati City government under his term.

Former President Joseph Estrada had already said Binay was “qualified” to become a president, but clarified that the United Opposition (UNO) has yet to determine its standard bearer for the upcoming polls.

“Malaki ang paghanga ko kay Binay dahil nagawa niyang premiere city ang Makati,” Estrada said in a radio interview on Thursday, citing health and education benefits being enjoyed both by children and elderly.

“Alagang-alaga niya ang kabataan, senior citizens, and peace and order. Talagang mahal na mahal iyan ng mga taga-Makati,” Estrada said.

Obama?

When asked to comment about Binay being called the “Barack Obama of the Philippines,” Estrada could only say in jest, “Dark brown naman siya, hindi black (He’s dark brown, not black).”

Estrada however reiterated his earlier statements that until now, the UNO has yet to select its standard bearer.

Malacañang has already distanced itself from Binay’s announcement, saying it was “too early” to be discussing “people’s political ambitions” for the 2010 polls.

Aside from Binay, those reported to be eyeing the presidency in 2010 include Vice President Manuel “Noli” de Castro, Senators Manuel “Manny” Villar, Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon, Loren Legarda, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando, and Jesus Is Lord Movement leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV