There is no doubt that the sincere desire of Vice President Jejomar Binay to become President of the republic has been shaken and could be shattered for good if nothing effective and credible moves be made to enhance his image and change the seeming ugly perceptions about his credibility now before the start of the 2016 presidential campaign. The alleged graft and corruption charges hurled at him in the past few months that regularly appear in print, seen and heard in broadcast channels nationwide have somehow eroded his once-upon-a time high credibility as a person and as a model public servant.
His address to the nation last Sept. 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) purportedly to explain, defend and justify the alleged overpricing of the modern parking lots in Makati that were constructed during his incumbency as mayor of Makati, was not convincing. However, it is too early to predict that the Vice President is already a goner in his presidential bid. It is still a year and a half before the 2016 elections and many developments relative to this issue will still surface that could change the present perceptions of the Filipino people about the Vice President. Besides it appears that, while there are already several presidential dreamers and hopefuls who have albeit clandestinely expressed a desire to become head of state, they still have to create a strong and convincing massive impact of acceptance from our people at this point in time.
It is still a wait and see stance on whom among them will eventually capture the imagination of Filipino electorates to vote for on Election Day. However, Vice President Jejomar Binay must appear before the blue ribbon committee to answer questions about this graft and corruption issue leveled at him to clear his name and put the issue at rest.
