Binay says corruption scandal won’t stop his presidential bid

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

THE corruption scandal hounding the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay won’t stop the country’s second highest public official to pursue his plans to launch his campaign for the presidency.

Binay, who came over this weekend, declared that he would run for President next year as planned as early as 2010 despite accusations of corruption which he called “fabrications.”

He told reporters he was unfazed, and even welcomed Sen. Grace Poe who may be fielded as the administration’s presidential candidate.

“That’s good. At least, people will be given an opportunity to select who’s qualified to be President,” he said.

Binay said he was drawing his strength from God, and that he has found himself praying for his critics and accusers.

Prayers, he said, give him comfort and make him laugh off accusations and sharp criticisms.

The accusations and criticisms, he said, were all part of a smear campaign alleged started to prevent him from being elected President.

Binay strongly denied owning huge tracts of land and 242 bank accounts.

“If that’s true, then Bill Gates pales in comparison to me,” he said rhetorically, adding that he was asking the Court of Appeals to reverse a freeze order on his bank accounts.

He maintained that he only has five bank accounts.

“We were not given an opportunity to explain. They say I have 242 bank accounts but what they actually did was include the bank accounts of my friends and their families. It was so unfair,” Binay said.

The vice president spent the weekend here shaking hands with people in the public markets, and distributing wheelchairs and nebulizers in Tagoloan and Jasaan towns in Misamis Oriental with supporters led by former mayor Vicente Emano.