Why Binay is still the man to beat in 2016 by Kathlyn dela Cruz, ABS-CBNnews Posted at 12/02/2014 10:52 PM | Updated as of 12/02/2014 10:52 PM MANILA - Despite all the corruption allegations being hurled against him, Vice-President Jejomar Binay is not likely to back down from his plan to run for President in 2016. Political analyst Malou Tiquia, founder and general manager of Publicus Asia Incorporated, said Binay will still make a go for the presidency even if he is being pilloried in the Senate Blue Rribbon subcommittee, which is investigating allegations of corruption against him. But given all the accusations being thrown against him, including allegedly hiding properties under the names of alleged dummies and benefiting from overpriced projects in Makati when he was still mayor of the city, is Binay, who has consistently topped surveys, still the man to beat in 2016? According to Tiquia, Binay, who has repeatedly trumpeted his rise from poverty, has a compelling story to tell. A compelling story is a major factor to win the presidency, University of the Philippines (UP) vice president for public affairs Prospero de Vera said. De Vera, however, stopped short of saying that Binay will automatically win in the 2016 elections, noting that it is still a long stretch before the presidential polls. He said the defining development would be the resolution of the Senates investigation, which, he said, is also being awaited by other possible contenders. If they see the numbers of the vice-president going down, it will increase their hope and become more active in presenting themselves, de Vera said. But for Dr. Grace Gorospe-Jamon of the UP political science department, there is no question that Binay is the man to beat in 2016. Jamon said other candidates should have a strategically well done campaign to defeat Binay in the presidential polls. If we dont get a credible candidate that will oppose Binay, Binay will win, she said. Dr. Antonio Contreras of the De La Salle Universitys (DLSU) political science department agreed. If there is no miracle on the side of Mar [Roxas] and there is no better candidate, Binay will win. He also believes that the more candidates run for president, the higher chances Binay will have of winning. THE BINAY PARADOX The problem is pag bumaba masyado ang bilang niya, mas maraming lalakas ang loob na kumandidato. Yun ang irony dito... Dahil mas maraming gustong kumandidato, mas mape-preserve din yung probability na manalo siya kasi nga hati-hati na yung boto, he said. So you see he is in a very nice position right now, Contreras added. Kaya nga, how do you solve a problem like him? University of Santo Tomas (UST) political science professor Edmund Tayao also pointed out that the two senators consistently hitting and bamboozling Binay do not seem to benefit from their attacks against the vice-president. Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Alan Peter Cayetano have been leading the Senate investigation on corruption allegations against Binay. The two, both from the Nacionalista Party (NP), have expressed intention to run for president. Tayao said, Look at what happened. Are their numbers going up? Not really. People are waiting for, Ano ba yan? Ano ba yang binebeneta mo sa amin? Di pa malinaw, added Tiquia. Tayao also said that so far, none has formulated a really good strategy to have their names placed on the table and be considered by the public. PNOYS ENDORSEMENT Meanwhile, de Vera said the idea that the endorsement of the President is a major factor in winning in the polls is overrated. He said an endorsement from President Benigno Aquino III for the 2016 elections will only be an add-on or a bonus. Youve got to be strong on your own merits... A weak candidate, even with all the resources, cannot simply overwhelm an opponent that is strong, he said.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 02:11:22 +0000
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