The Worse Would Not Be Over Yet For Binay

A series of events allowed the Vice President, Jejomar Binay to have a respite from the artillery bombardment of his alleged corruption, which leaves his camp on a stand down mode of deflection. The easing up of pressure relegated somehow the corruption allegations to the sideline. The Binay’s Camp, perhaps, thought that the worst is over for their boss. They said this before. As the media presented Binay as the embodiment of corruption, people believed that the worst for him is not over, except for the Binay Camp. Now, as these series of events unfolded the worst showed its ugly head. Binay’s likelihood of him being elected come 2016’s election, disintegrate. His ambition is about to meet its demise.

Middle of January 2015, as the 16th Congress adjourned, the Binay Camp was somehow relieved that personages the likes of Ernesto Mercado, Sen. Koko Pimentel, and Sen. Antonio Trillanes were out of their sights at the Senate Hearing of their boss’ corruption.

Then, Pope Francis visited the Philippines. The whole nation riveted their attention to the activities of the papal visits. Binay, for every photo opportunity he had with the Pope, he was as though trying hard to squeeze in his “epal” instinct. The people watching TV sensed this. His body language betrayed him. When Pope Francis spoke about corruption at the Malacanang Palace, someone posted an edited video version on Facebook, showing, that upon the pope mention of “corruption”, the camera panned on where Binay sat, in his cutest pose, like his memes littered in the social media.

On January 25, the SAF (Special Action Force) of the National Police on a mission to arrest or kill Marwan, an international terrorist, had a “mis-encounter” with the MILF, and the BIFF forces stationed in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, where 44 SAF combatants met their death. This unfortunate event eclipsed the success of Pope Francis visit, and swept the nation into a tailspin. Binay’s clandestine allies in the broadsheet papers; the Manila Times, the Daily Tribune, the Manila Standard, which always hammered negative slants in their commentaries and reporting, blamed P’Noy for the death of the SAF 44, he, being the Commander-in-Chief.

Binay could have seen these developments as a double whammy. The corruption allegation against him laid aside, and at the same time, if the blame campaign for P’Noy gained a mob like momentum – demanding, his resignation – this would favor him. He would just wait for the right timing.

Come February, the National Transformation Council, (NTC) an organization comprised of disgruntled politicians and discredited clergies during the past dispensation, questioned P’Noy’s leadership, inflamed the raw emotion of the SAF 44’s survivors, and used this as a cause for the national conflagration. Also, the NTC launched a series of mass action exploiting the significance of the 1986 February Revolution to force the resignation of P’Noy. Meanwhile, Binay in his duplicitous role, fence sit, stand ready to jump ship if the mob surge. However, the mob rule, these days doesn’t catch fire, but flies. Then, the coup plot to oust P’Noy emerged and the people behind it are members of the NTC. Ting-Ting Cojuangco, wife of P’Noy’s uncle, Peping Cojuangco, an NTC member, and one of the instigator of the P’Noy resign movement, asked Binay to head the government with an advisory council. Of course, Binay denied this.

When the NTC couldn’t provide a name as P’Noy’s possible replacement, the people get indignant. Why would they fix something when it is not broke, anyway? It is only months away for the legitimate changing of guard, so why the rush? Of course, the NTC couldn’t give Binay’s name, it already reeks with corruption and this would even more make the NTC a national joke.

On March 6, 2015, the allegation of corruption against Binay came back with vengeance. The Binay’s respite was over. The Binay’s Camp braced themselves for another round of deflection to defend their boss. Binay, and son and the other Makati government official were charged by the Special Panel of the Office of the Office of the Ombudsman of criminal and administrative offense about the overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building.

Come election time in 2016, Binay’s opponent would be fully loaded of ammunitions to hit him hard to the ground. Bombardment of stories, news clips, and video recordings of the Senate Hearings of his alleged corruption in his bailiwicks in the provinces can become daily staples. This could have a bandwagon effect.

Due to Binay’s propensity to back out in a fight as proven twice by Sen. Trillanes, it would be pragmatic for Binay to quit in the presidential race. It would be an uphill battle and it would dry up his resources. People’s minds have so much of his tarnished character, and they are convinced he is unfit for the office of the President.