The man of the hour: VP Jejomar Binay. He has been pelted with all kinds of accusations. Like a messiah abandoned, castigated and oppressed by a fierce crowd, awaiting a resurrection of sorts.
Nobody can deny how much flak the embattled VP has caught in such a short period of time. It seems he is being harassed from all sides and from the looks of it he’s hanging on by the thread. However, a deeper look and you will realize that there is a lot more to the man than what meets the eye. For one, he definitely is no stranger to adversity not having been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Increasingly, you will realize that the days ahead could rightfully be but his best show yet. And not some curtain call as pundits predicted.
Ladies and brave gentlemen, top 10 things you may have missed about the man that went from mayor of Makati straight to 2nd most powerful man in the whole archipelago, VP Jejomar Binay.
#10: His real name is Jesus Jose Cabautan Binay.
Born in November 11, 1942 to Diego “Jego” Medrano Binay, a librarian from Baauan, Batangas and to a school teacher mother Loudes Gatan Cabauatan, VP Binay’s full name is Jesus Jose Cabauatan Binay.
Although his name was supposedly longer being Jesus Jose Maria Cabautan Binay, the Maria was inadvertently not found in his birth certificate. Jejomar is a play of Jesus Jose Maria.
No wonder VP Binay has all the braves, he is born in the place where Batangas Kape Barako was made. Though his no-show performance in the Senate is somewhat startling.
#9: He was adopted by his uncle at age 9.
Orphaned at a young age as both his parents passed away, the young Jojo Binay was adopted by his uncle on his father’s side, Ponciano Binay.
Not blessed with affluence, the future lawyer had to study in public finishing his elementary in Philippine Normal College Training Department.
#8: VP Binay spent most of his school days in UP.
A true blue UP-nian (like his most virulent detractor the feisty Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago) Jojo’s high school days were spent in the University of the Philippines Preparatory School, his first of many UP years.
Enamored by the UP spirit which provided the breeding ground for the future VP, Binay finished his BA Political Science Degree in the University of the Philippines and earning his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law.
#7: VP Binay passed the bar in 1968.
His attempt at the bar was smooth-sailing and he became a full-pledged lawyer after passing the much-feared exams in 1968. From here forwards he took up master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines, and master’s degree in Law at the University of Santo Tomas.
#6: He became a human rights lawyer.
And perhaps, his most important decision in life is to carry the fight for the downtrodden, neglecting a more opulent law career.
With fellow greats, Joker Arroyo and Rene Saguisag, Attorney Binay co-founded a national movement of lawyers known as MABINI.
#5: Binay, the young lawyer, was imprisoned.
No, not for the alleged Hacienda Binay. Definitely not. Though I believe many senators would be in fiesta-mode. But for being a member of the Squad of the Righteous, helping political prisoners as a MABINI lawyer, Binay was imprisoned at the height of the Marcos regime.
It was at this point in time that he came face to face and work hand in hand with the leaders of the opposition. One of the most eloquent and most vocal of which was the young Senator Benigno Aquino.
During the military trial of the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, the young lawyer Binay was assisting the likes of former Senator Lorenzo Tanada and Senator Joker Arroyo in the defense panel. His job was to carry the law books and other legal documents.
#4: Cory Aquino gave Binay the big break.
For his bravery during the fight against Marcos and seeing true potential, President Cory Aquino fastracked Binay’s political career by appointing him to be the mayor of Makati in February 1986 when Mayor Nemesio I. Yabut died in office during the EDSA Revolution.
#3: Binay would hold on to the Makati seat for years to come.
The mayor’s seat would see Binay again through the 1988, 1992 and 1995 elections. Makati would soon become Binay’s political base. Even today it is run by his son, Mayor Junjun Binay.
#2: From being a mayor in Makati to Vice Presidency.
In a much-contested presidential election in 2010, Binay was the dark horse. At the onset he scored poorly in the rankings, pulling a relatively poor performance in the public opinion polls. But as elections approached, his chances increased overtaking that of fellow VP aspirant Legarda and tying in with Mar Roxas.
And lo and behold, to Roxas’ surprise Binay won by a 700,000 votes margin and took his oath as VP of the land on the 30th of June 2010.
#1: Binay is a recipient of the Ninoy Aquino Medal of Valor.
For his exemplary work, VP Binay received the Ninoy Aquino Medal of Valor conferred to him by former colleague and human rights lawyer former senator Heherson Alvarez, current Ninoy Aquino Movement Chairman. The award was conferred him on the 31st death anniversary of the fallen hero on August 21, 2014.
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Hello, correction please, his middle name is Cabauatan and not Cabautan, I knew it bec. I am an Isabeleño like him. Secondly, it’s Bauan and not Baauan. Again, i’m familiar with the place bec. I worked there.