Binay gears up for ‘big fight’ in 2013, 2016 elections

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay is preparing his PDP-Laban (Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino- for a “big fight” in the 2013 and 2016 elections.

Binay, who turned 69 yesterday, made the call to PDP-Laban members and officials during the political party’s 29th merger anniversary at the Golden Bay restaurant along Macapagal Boulevard in Pasay City.

“I want to see a party that are not intimidated,” he said. “We will be a party that will fight. Don’t worry. I hope you will make your body and soul strong because we are preparing for a good fight.”

Binay, former President Joseph Estrada’s running mate in the May 2010 elections, quoted late senator Blas Ople, as saying that members of PDP-Laban can fill a Volkswagen.

“Our party, we are no longer naïve,” he said.

“We don’t have an inferiority complex anymore because we now have a vice president and a senator. We now have the power. We will win. Let’s not forget our party, learn from the lessons in the past, avoid our mistakes and we will surely reach our goals,” he said.

Binay, national chairman of PDP-Laban, said the emerging political party will no longer be stopped on the way to 2013 and 2016.

“This will be continuing,” he said.

“This will be the new chapter of our party. For the first time, our party now have a senator and a vice president. In the past, most of our members are only elected mayors and governors. Now we have two national leaders.”

Binay said through a united PDP-Laban, they will reach their goals.

“We will now solidify our party once and for all,” he said. “We will be all out. Our party will be giving a good fight in the coming political activity. As I say, it will be the leading party.

“Together, the party and myself, will become the leaders in the coming elections, not only in 2013 but also in 2016.”

Binay, who has earlier confirmed his intention to run for president in 2016, said prior to his victory as vice president the survey results showed that his vice presidential rival has 64 percent while he only had two percent.

“When the second survey result was released, I got four percent and I said that I got 100 percent increase,” he said.

“During the third survey, I got eight percent, then I said that I got another 100 percent increase. But at the end of the day, I won in the vice presidential elections.”

The brass band played the presidential hymn “Mabuhay” after Binay ended his speech.

As part of the PDP-Laban’s 29th merger anniversary, party officials launched a book entitled “PDP-Laban 1982-2012 Thirty” which is a compilation of the PDP-Laban’s activities from its founding year (1982) including the fight against the Marcos dictatorship to the present.

The book also includes the photos of the tragic death of Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport (MIA), which is now named after him.

“Cheers to victory in 2013, cheers to victory in 2016,” said Joey de Venecia, PDP-Laban’s secretary-general.

De Venecia said PDP-Laban is turning three decades (30 years old) next year “still standing and strong.”

He said the PDP-Laban is also launching a Ninoy Aquino-inspired search for new heroes of the country dubbed as the “Bagong Pilipino awards.”

“We are beginning our search for new heroes, in the person of simple people, to prove to the world that the Filipinos are pound for pound,” he said.

“Ninoy’s words inspire us to fight tyranny. The PDP-Laban was at the forefront of that fight, in the fight against tyranny and for democracy that we lost during the martial law regime. We are the people’s weapon against tyranny.”

The search for new heroes will end on April 20, 2012 where the awarding will follow. –Jose Rodel Clapano (The Philippine Star)