Binay camp now in quandary

Vice President Jejomar Binay

Vice President Jejomar Binay may be still ahead in the surveys for the presidential election in 2016, but with the damning corruption criticism against his person made by his former supporters turned political enemies, one can only wonder if his gradually slipping numbers will still be able to sustain his trust ratings in the coming years.

Many are starting to realize that behind Binay’s seemingly wholesome image is a man who, as a former Makati City CEO, pretended to care for his people on one hand, but on the other hand was unscrupulously enriching himself, as the Senate investigation against his corrupt practices continue to unravel.

People are now appearing to be dissatisfied with Binay because instead of making his presence in the Senate probe to refute and clear his name, he has rather opted to explain his side in press conferences and other forums where almost always those attending are his loyal supporters.

There is no doubt that Binay covets the presidency more than anything else at this stage of his political career, but not being able to redeem his marred image in front of the senators who has been perceiving him to be a shady character only underscores the kind of person and leader Binay is.

The perception now of many is that Binay is no better than Enrile, Estrada and Revilla who are now under police custody for graft and corruption and plunder.

Now, is Binay the man the country needs to succeed President Aquino?

Like we need a hole in the head, he is!

It is for this reason that the Binay camp is now in quandary.

With the flak of unsavory issues being hurled at Binay, the latter’s factotums are sending counter charges in all direction just to save their presidential candidate from further losing grounds in the polls.

From UNA’s interim president Toby Tiangco, to UNA’s interim secretary general Jose Virgilio “JV” Bautista, and even Binay’s spokesman on political affairs, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, all are training their guns at different personalities who they think are responsible for their candidate’s sharp decline in the surveys.

But have you heard anyone of them going against the commentaries made by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago about Binay? Are they afraid to receive a mouthful from Miriam? You bet they are.

But I think the most in quandary is Binay himself.

Binay seems to be kowtowing and ingratiating himself now to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, urging the administration to approve the latter’s appeal for bail.

Binay’s party mates should start advising their presidential candidate that being soft to GMA is not only a negative political ploy, but also reinforces the perception that he is identifying himself with another outrageous and corrupt politician.

It looks like Binay himself is his own enemy.