On Monday night, Binay visited international evangelist Apollo C. Quiboloy, the founder and executive pastor of The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name Inc., in Davao City.
The Vice President was accompanied by former Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, who is Quiboloy’s close friend. Binay was a guest in the evangelist’s television program Give Us His Day.
Founded on September 1, 1985, the sect has a television channel and several radio stations scattered across the Philippines.
Political observers expressed belief that Binay’s visit could be viewed as an initial step to woo the support of Quiboloy’s flock, estimated between three and five million, for next year’s political exercise and the presidential derby in 2016.
Binay has admitted that he plans to run for president.
Since Zubiri was included in the senatorial line-up of Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), the Vice President could easily win the support of Quiboloy’s group which, just like the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC or Church of Christ), is also known for its bloc voting during elections.
Sources said that the Vice President also plans to talk with INC leaders.
Political observers believe that the INC might throw its support behind UNA, taking into consideration its “unfriendly” relations with the Aquino administration.
INC has been supportive of former President Joseph Estrada, whose Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP or Party of the Filipino Masses) has formed an alliance with Binay.
Impressive work
In his television program, Quiboloy said that he was impressed by Binay’s hard work in helping the Filipino people. He cited the Vice President’s role in combating human trafficking, addressing housing problems and protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
He also recognized Binay’s continued efforts in instilling discipline among the Filipino youth as president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
One of Quiboloy’s co-hosts even coined a new term—“Binaying”—to describe the Vice President’s hard work.
“’Binaying’ is a quality of work ethics attributed to an elected or appointed government official who is known for his diligence, industry and perseverance,” the co-host said.
Binay admitted that his being a workaholic was a habit developed from his early days in government service as mayor of Makati City.
He, however, attributed his busy schedules to President Benigno Aquino 3rd.
“Mabuti naman ho at napagkatiwalan ako ni Pangulong Noynoy [Aquino], kaya nagtatrabaho ako sa [I’m thankful that President Aquino trusted me, which made me very busy in the] executive department,” the Vice President said.
“That removes me from what they always perceive that the Vice President is always a spare tire, para bang laging nakatingala sa langit at naghihintay kung kailan ka papalit [as if you’re always looking up at the heavens and waiting for your turn].”
After forging an alliance with Estrada’s group, Binay has started discussions with other big political parties such as the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party and Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino for a possible coalition.
Rebirth of two-party system?
Sen. Gregorio Honasan also on Tuesday welcomed the possible alliance of major political parties under UNA, saying this could signal the return of the two-party system.
“That’s positive news. Baka sakaling ito na ang panggalingan ng pagbabalik sa [Perhaps, this will be the start for us to revert to the old] two-party system, para hindi na [so that the contest will not be] personality based,” Honasan said, recalling the time when elections were contested by the Liberal and Nacionalista parties.
The senator added that UNA should represent all opposition parties and act as a “true opposition” to ensure “check and balance” in the government.
“We should be looking at the platforms and programs of UNA. Is it going to be a real opposition? Is it obstructionist as far as the Aquino government is concerned? Or it will be fiscalizing?” Honasan asked.
Alliance downplayed
Malacañang, however, downplayed the alliance of Binay and Estrada, saying that the achivements of the Aquino administration would convince the people to vote for the candidates of President Aquino.
Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that voters would realize that the Aquino administration was able to realize its campaign promises to help the poor and eliminate corruption.
“We have promises to keep and we have promises to deliver. I think if we are able to fulfill those two promises, the people will know which is the better candidate,” Lacierda added.
Asked if the coming 2013 elections were causing a rift in the relationship between Mr. Aquino and Binay, Lacierda replied that the two remained cordial and professional.
“There is no difference between the President and the Vice President. From the very start, alam naman nating Liberal Party si Pangulong Aquino, PDP-Laban [Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan or Philippine Democratic Party-Fight of the Nation] si Vice President Binay. That should not—and it has not—gotten in the way of governance so far,” he said.
Source : By RITCHIE A. HORARIO AND JAIME R. PILAPIL REPORTERS
