MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay has been
on string of successive visits to the province recently, but his spokesperson
denied it has anything to do with early campaigning.
Binay has visited
three provinces this month, less than two weeks after quitting his Cabinet
posts in June. On July 5, he went to Ormoc to give ‘personal’ cash assistance
to the families of the victims of MB Kim Nirvana.
On the same day, he
also visited Biliran province until the next day to distribute wheelchairs and
medical equipment and supplies. Then on Tuesday, July 7, he went directly to
Pangasinan, one of the vote-rich provinces in Luzon, with several officials
from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) and Lakas Party.
Despite speculations
of pre-election campaigning, Binay’s spokesperson Mon Ilagan said the vice
president’s visits were part of his official function.
“Mayroon siyang soiree
doon at mga dialogue sa mga women’s
group at of course, mayroon siyang mga programang gagawin doon at
pagpapaliwanag sa mga issue,” Ilagan
told Inquirer adding that Binay will
stay in Pangasinan for three days, but did not elaborate the ‘issues’ the vice
president will be explaining about.
(He has some soiree
there including dialogues with the women’s group, and of course he has some
programs and will explain about issues.)
Ilagan also shared
that Binay’s visits to several towns in Panagsinan were well-received by local
officials, expressing optimism to expand further United Nationalist Alliance
(UNA) network across the country.
While denying the
sortie is not linked to Binay’s political strategy, Ilagan noted it will be
just the start of a continuing consultation with people. He added Binay is
expected to visit Bicol region next where he will be meeting with farmers.
VP Binay was
accompanied by Lakas co-chairman Danilo Suarez and NPC stalwart Mark Cojuangco
in his Pangasinan visit.
Meanwhile, Interior
Secretary Mar Roxas, was also in Sorsogon province last Friday to distribute
patrol jeeps to some municipalities. He was met by local officials but Gov.
Raul Lee, a member of UNA, was not around to welcome him.
Both Binay and Roxas
have noticeably been busy visiting provinces separately throughout the country.
While Binay has declared his intention to run as president in 2016, his
arch-nemesis Roxas remains mum about his future political plan.
The two is expected
to renew their rivalry next election; but this time, both are eyeing the
Malacanang seat.
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