An Uncalled For Remark of Binay

Indicates his Pro-Chinese Sentiment

By Apolinario Villalobos

The surprising remark of Vice-President Binay in an interview over DZYM, a radio station in Catarman, Samar, on April 12 already reveals his un-Filipino scheme if ever he becomes President of the Philippines. He openly declared, “may pera po ang China, kailangan natin ng capital…”. This goes to show that he will welcome with open arms whatever expected one-sided talks (in favor of China), that will be proposed to him when becomes president of this long-beleaguered country of “resilient” Filipinos. If that happens, not only will the Filipinos continue to suffer from the sucking of the corrupt government officials but also the economic manipulation of a foreign power, as well.

Not only will the shores of the western coast of the country be opened to the Chinese by virtue of the extended Chinese sovereignty provided by the artificial islands that they (Chinese) are being building right within the maritime territory of the Philippines. The already Chinese-dominated economy of the country will surely be stamped with calligraphic symbols. The Chinese shall feast on opportunities to be offered in the exploration of natural resources, such as, oil, natural gas, and many others because as Binay implied, they have the money for the operation.

Binay may have Singapore in his mind as a model for an Asian country to be called progressive. He even unabashedly compared himself to Lee Kuan Yew who engineered the miraculous development of Singapore, a once struggling port in Southeast Asia. He must also be thinking that he has done so many things for Makati, recognition of which, he is forcing on those who respectfully listen to him…when in fact, he is now under fire for what he had been doing in Makati – allegedly profiteering from big projects.

What Binay has forgotten is that the discipline of the Singaporeans is much different from the kind of the Filipino discipline. Lee Kuan Yew has successfully maintained a clean administration which is way way far from the corruption-riddled mindset of the Philippine government officials, and that includes him, according to the senators who are investigating his graft and plunder cases. In the Philippines, the impression that the easiest way to amass money is by entering the arena of politics, and the shameful number of investigation on corrupt cases prove this. Binay forgot that he is one of those being investigated.

Some Asean neighbors of the Phillipines are enjoying real progress, not the one shown in reports of paid researchers, even by not bowing to the dictates of super powers such China and the United States. Vietnam which was haplessly mowed to the ground during a pocket war with the United States is now way ahead of the Philippines. Cambodia is steadily increasing its inbound tourist influx by maintaining its traditional eco-tourism system minus hotel complexes that are built by foreign investors. Malaysia, despite its restrictive culture is way ahead in practically all aspect of development compared to the Philippines. Binay unfortunately has a different view as regards progress.

The muddled situation of the Philippine is being used by Binay in his early campaign for presidency, promising paradise to the constituents of the “sister cities and towns of Makati” throughout the country, especially the far-flung ones in Visayas and Mindanao….promises such that what he did to Makati, he will do to the country when he becomes president. Some people, though, remark that indeed he will do – make the whole country as a vast personal business empire!

Binay is trying to fool the Filipinos by giving them his own interpretation of “progress” which is tantamount to the dissolution of nationalism. For him, progress means shopping malls, towering condos, bustling commercial centers…though, the fact is, profits are not deposited in Philippine banks but brought out by foreign investors back to their own countries at the expense of nationalism. And the jobs?...yes, there are jobs – call center agents, sales clerks, drivers, factory workers, etc. – all on contractual basis!

The image of Makati that he has been proudly using as showcase of his performance is now crumbling with the glaring issues on how he and his family allegedly gained from the big projects that are painted over with false benevolence. They have yet to prove a single accusation to be false…