Presidential dream JOJO BINAY EYES PING LACSON AS VP; SAYS DUTERTE ‘VERY QUALIFIED’ RIVAL

CEBU CITY, Cebu – Vice President Jejomar Binay has rejected calls for President Benigno Aquino III to resign as he reiterated his desire to run for president in 2016, with former Senator Panfilo Lacson as his possible runningmate while welcoming the prospect of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as his “very qualified” opponent.

Binay issued the statement in an interview with reporters after he handed P20,000 cash benefits from Pag-IBIG to the families of slain Special Action Force troopers PO1 Windel Candano and PO1 Romeo Cempron, both from Cebu,following a mass wedding in Mandaue City.

“Ayoko naman. You know, I am the vice president. Alam n’yo naman na magka-candidate ako [for presidency in 2016]. Let us just wait. I am hoping and praying that the President will overcome this problem very soon,” he said.

Binay said he is “not yet campaigning” and clarified that the cash benefit came from the accumulated savings and dividends of the deceased in Pag-IBIG, along with their death benefits.

The Vice President also supported bids to raise the hazard pay of police officers in light of the incident, but said the decision is up to the President.

“Lacson is being considered. Lacson, among others,” said Binay when asked on the possibility for Lacson to be his runningmate.

When asked for the possibility that he might square off with the tough-talking Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Binay replied: “Napaka-qualified ni Mayor Duterte.”

Political analyst Anol Mongaya, who is a newspaper columnist and administrator of “Maghisgot Kitag Politika, Bay” on Facebook, also castigated Binay.

“Binay’s refusal to answer the allegations against him has eroded public trust. His visits to Cebu are obviously not part of his work as vice president. He is clearly campaigning prematurely. Cebuanos are not stupid to believe his boodle fights are part of his work as vice president,” Mongaya said in a text message. (Junex Doronio)