PRESIDENTIAL candidate Jejomar Binay said Sunday he had been fighting poverty since he was mayor of Makati to improve the lives of its residents.
He made the statement in Cabagan, Isabela, before his fellow Ibanags whom police estimated at 15,000.
“Nu’ng ako ay naging mayor noong 1986, ‘yung problemang kakaharapin ko bilang Pangulo—ang problema ng kahirapan—hinarap ko yan sa Makati,” Binay said.
Binay had previously said he would give priority to four programs during his first year in office as president to combat poverty: the continuation and expansion of the 4Ps (Pantawid ng Pamilyang Pilipino Program), the abolition of income taxes for workers earning P30,000 a month or less, the provision of free books, uniforms and school supplies to public school students, and free health care for the poor.
Binay was joined by his running mate, Senator Gregorio Honasan II, and UNA senatorial candidate former Special Action Force director Getulio Napeñas. And local candidates and allies from Isabela led by Vice Governor Tony Pet Albano.
Albano said he expected Binay to win in the province.
“Rest assured na dito po sa probinsiya ng Isabela, kahit ano’ng gawin ng kalaban nila, si vice president ang siguradong mananalo and we predict at least 70 to 80 percent votes here no matter what,” Albano said.
“Alam naman po natin na taga-rito po ang nanay ni Vice President Jejomar Binay and it is a natural tendency for all Isabeleños to unite and give one vote for the vice president.”
Binay’s mother, the late Lourdes Gatan Cabauatan, was an Ibanag from Cabagan, Isabela.
