Jojo Binay: The man who would be president

By DAVID CASUCO


LOS ANGELES -- Jejomar Binay, the Mayor of Makati City, who is also the United Opposition president, did an impressive job as long-time local chief executive of the financial capital of the Philppines. The Filipino people, and the world, acknowledged his accomplishment as a leader. They say what the activist-lawyer did was praiseworthy by any measure.

And as his legend grew Binay realized that Makati is too small for him. Like the man who would be king, Jojo Binay now trains his sight at the Palace's top post, no less. With his impeccable performance as his launching pad, the 66-year old Binay is off and running.

Right now, he is back in Los Angeles, doing the rounds among Fil-Am groups, and trumpeting his virtues, and saying he is the right person for the Palace's job.

In an exclusive interview with this writer at the California Examiner offices in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, Binay cited that in other countries, the most successful national leaders were former city mayors. He was saying statistics and trends auger well for him. Others say it is his uncompromising defense for20truth and democracy. Still others say it is his name that could make him a king. Jejomar (Jesus-Joseph-Mary) is a representation of the Holy Family in the Christian world.

Asked if he will be able to extrapolate his success in Makati on a national scale, Binay did not give a clear cut answer but said, "There are square pegs for square holes. I have experience and capability." He said that as a long-time local executive officer he has competence and leadership, unlike the congressmen and senators "who are more of a debating teams."
What is the one most important thing that he wants to do when he gets elected President of the Philippines?

"In the first 100 days, I will decentralized the power of the national government. This will give way to a more active participation of the local government." Binay believes that a progressive barangay invariably means a progressive town, city, province, and ultimately a progressive country.
During the launching of his bid for presidency last year at the Makati City Hall, Binay said there is a need for another "revolution". The charismatic mayor said he is accepting the challenge to lead that revolution toward a progressive and respected Philippines.

Binay shakes off talks about cracks in the opposition saying, at the end of the day, the real opposition will be sifted from the=2 0pseudo and counterfeit ones. He said in a couple of months, the opposition presidentiables are going to sit down with former President Joseph Estrada in a "unity meeting." Right now, Sens. Manny Villar, Chiz Escudero, Loren Legarda, and Mar Roxas are the other "opposition" frontrunners. Sen. Panfilo Lacson reportedly dropped out from the race lately.

Estrada, who was ousted by a popular uprising in 2001, convicted, and pardoned, had said earlier that he "remains open to the idea of running in 2010," but only if the opposition won't unite. "If they don't unite, that is my last option," Estrada said.

Meanwhile, the headstart Binay has gained in Los Angeles looks significant as it is seemingly extensive.

Aside from Binay, only Escudero has made some impressions among the L.A. Pinoys. The Bicolano solon has visited L.A. twice recently.

Los Angeles is home to over one million Filipino expatriates, according to statistics from the Philcongen-LA. The Consulate has registered the second highest number of overseas absentee voters (OAV) with 6,534 as of recent count, next only to the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, which had over 10K registered OAVs.

Filipinos in Los Angeles belong to the middle class households in Southern California. They deliver the bulk of the dollar remittances coming from North America. Thereupon, it is believed, they command great influence on the voting choices of their relatives back home in the Philippines.