Where does Binay stand?

With all the political alliances being forged for the upcoming 2013 elections and all the news about Vice President Jejomar Binay preparing for his own presidential run in 2016, it might be good to already ask him what his stand is on present-day critical issues that our country is currently facing. For one, has Binay spoken about whether or not he is supporting the Reproductive Health bill? Secondly, is he supporting the passage of the Freedom of Information bill, which aims to promote the sense of transparency and accountability among our public officials? What is his stand on issues concerning mining?

Finally, given that he continues to claim that he strongly supports President Aquino, is he one with the President in wanting Chief Justice Renato Corona removed and replaced? I have never heard Binay take a stand on these major issues. I hope that he will categorically make a firm stand on each of them given that he is the second highest elected official in our country.

Leaders should have the courage to make important decisions even if these decisions may turn out to be unpopular. The worst kind of leaders are those who always play safe and try their best to please everyone. These are the kind of leaders who never get things done because they are afraid to take risks for the greater good of our country. I certainly hope that Binay isn’t one of them.

—HARVEY S. KEH,
director for youth leadership and social entrepreneurship,
Ateneo de Manila University School of Government
[email protected]