Binay eyes Malacañang in far south

PANTAO RAGAT, Lanao del Norte – A presidency under Vice President Binay, presidential bet of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), will result in not one, not two, but three “Malacañangs.”

In a sortie here yesterday, Binay told residents that in his line with his plan to implement “decentralization and devolution, a presidential residence in Mindanao will be set up.

“In my presidency, I will personally address your problems in Mindanao,” the opposition chieftain told the large throng of supporters who gathered at Pantao Ragat Central School for UNA’s sortie.

“My plan, like what I’ll do in Cebu, is to establish a Malacañang here in Mindanao so I may address your problems,” he added.

“I will hold office here in Mindanao so I can watch over the local governments. You will experience the true meaning of decentralization and devolution.”

Binay, 73, served as Makati City mayor for over 21 years. The UNA boss often boasts of transforming the city into the financial dynamo that it is now.

Binay promised to Mindanaoans a hands- on type of leadership if he gets elected in May.

“I will get personally involved in talks, I will personally get involved in meetings so that agreements will be reached. I guarantee that all talks will result to agreements,” he said.

The official counter-pointed this with what he described as the lack of empathy of the current administration toward those living in Mindanao.

“This administration neither gave personal attention nor care to Mindanao’s problems.”

Binay was the first among the five presidential hopefuls to bring their campaign deep into Muslim Mindanao. He was warmly greeted by the locals.

Fierce supporter Perhaps nobody received Binay in this town as warmly or fiercely as its outgoing mayor, Eleanor Dimaporo Lantud. Lan- tud is running for governor in the national elections this May.

“The only man who could bring into reality the true development and progress of Lanao del Norte and Pantao Ragat is the next president of the country, Vice President Jejomar Binay,” she said in her rousing introduction.

Lantud, first cousin of Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo, reckoned that the allegations of corruption against Binay “are all false and baseless.”

She went as far to declare all enemies of the UNA leader as enemies of her own.

“Remember, all of your enemies are our enemies. Just tell us when to charge, we are ready anytime here in Lanao del Norte.

“We all declare that you are totally innocent (of the allegations of corruption),” said the gubernatorial candidate, who also blasted the administration for neglecting the province.

Lantud is a former longtime member of the ruling Liberal Party (LP). She is said to be the niece of the late Muhammad Ali Dimaporo, a local warlord.

Asked about Lantud’s defection to the opposition party, Binay answered, “Eh di mananalo na kami dito (That means we’ll win here).”

The Vice President refused to answer further questions from media and boarded his vehicle.