By ELLEN T. TORDESILLAS
NO one is really surprised that Vice President Jejomar Binay backed out of the Nov. 27 debate with Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV which he himself suggested to the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas.
When the debate was starting to take a life of its own after he mentioned it to KBP President Herman Basbaño last October and Trillanes accepted the challenge, Binay was just waiting for an opportunity to back out.
The opportunity happened yesterday during his 72nd birthday celebration at the Philippine Marines headquarters.
He was asked about Trillanes’ statements that he was going into the much-publicized activity fully aware that the vice president, a lawyer, has an advantage as far as debating skills are concerned. But the senator, who was formerly a Philippine Navy officer said, he is on the side of truth.
Binay said, “Huwag na natin ituloy. Ayoko na kung ganyan sinasabi niya. (Let’s not push through with it. I don’t like if that’s what he is saying.)”
Binay explained: “Ang dahilan ko mga kababayan e dahil sa marami na akong naririnig na ako ay ganito…ako ay mahusay, ako ay naging debater, ako ay abogado, e sobra na ‘tong mga sinabi niyang ganyan na kumpirmadong sinabi niya, e ayaw ko naman hong maging..ang pagkakalilala niyo sa aking mga kababayan ay mapang-api, mapagsamantala…so tama na po ‘yun.(The reason why I am withdrawing is I have heard comments that I am an experienced debater, I’m a lawyer. He has also been saying things as if they were already confirmed. I don’t want to appear oppressive and opportunistic, so I am backing out.)”
But Binay’s spokesperson, Cavite governor Jonvic Remulla , was outrageously creative in his reason for his principal’s withdrawal from the debate: the Vice President realized it is a “disservice” to the survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Trillanes said his reaction is one of “ambivalence.”
“Actually, I’m, in a way, expecting this, so, I couldn’t be disappointed,” he said.
He added that Binay’s withdrawal from something that he himself started shows his untrustworthiness.“Kasi alam niyo, ever since hindi napanghahawakan ang salita ni Vice President Binay.(You know, ever since VP Binay has no word of honor).This will totally destroy his credibility. Hindi na talaga natin siya mapagkakatiwalaan(We really can’t trust him).”
Trillanes recalled the Nov. 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula siege, where Binay was part of the group that planned a civilian-military action to oust Gloria Arroyo, who was then embroiled in election cheating and corruption scandals.
Trillanes, who had won as senator while in detention for the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny against Arroyo, was scheduled to appear in a hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court at the Makati City Hall that day.
The plan was for a mass rally in front of the statue of Sen. Benigno Aquino at the corner of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas. Binay promised to mobilize his constituents including city hall employees for the mass action.
As planned, Trillanes, his fellow Magdalo soldiers , and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim walked out of the hearing only to find out that there were no people at the agreed venue. “Paglabas namin noong araw ng pag-aaklas, wala si VP Binay. Pinahamak niya ang buong grupo (When we walked out of the court, there was no Binay. He put us in trouble .”
Trillanes and his companions decided to go to Manila Peninsula where they made a stand against the Arroyo government. ““Buong araw walang dumating. At si VP Binay, ‘yong anino niya, hindi nakita sa Makati.”
Binay was with former President Joseph Estrada in Quezon City that day. The military later rammed an armored tank into the Manila Pen lobby and lobbed tear gas forcing the rebel soldiers to surrender.
Trillanes said Binay later visited him at Camp Crame, where he was detained , and apologized.
Trillanes said the Manila Pen incident, the revelations in the Senate investigation and the manner Binay is facing them “ show lack of character, untrustworthiness of the Vice President, and the lack of any intention to face the people regarding the allegations brought up against him.”
He said the Senate investigation of Binay will continue.
What will be Binay’s next move? Back out of the 2016 presidential race?
