Vice President Jejomar Binay vowed the other week to continue President Aquino’s fight against corruption. That can only mean one thing: It’s not looking good for the Philippines.
For one, Binay himself has been painted as a corrupt public official. That may be arguable since he is yet to be convicted of a crime of corruption. But to be hounded by accusations of corruption, with evidence to support the allegations, is certainly not promising for him or the country.
Worse, Binay refuses to appear in any formal setting to either refute or answer questions about the corruption charges against him, which gives everyone the impression that he is guilty as accused.
Binay to continue what President Benigno Aquino III has started? First, let us be clear on what the President has started. Mr. Aquino has basically used his power for his own personal gain—e.g., to take control of the Supreme Court by orchestrating the impeachment of a chief justice and by allowing his allies and Cabinet officials to abuse the country’s funds. If Binay is elected president and continues what Mr. Aquino has started, it can only spell doom for the Philippines.
—LARK CALAGUIO,
larkcalag@gmail.com