Davide: Liberal Party Is Not Behind Binay Boos

Governor Hilario P. Davide III denied the Liberal Party was behind the boos received by Vice President Jejomar Binay at the Sinulog Grandstand on January 17.

The allegation made by the Binay Camp was a “very reckless accusation,” said the governor in a press conference at the Capitol last January 18.

On the contrary, he said the vice president must be given “utmost respect” like those who were present during the occasion.

“Because he was just invited by Sinulog Foundation Inc. Chairman and suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, dapat respetohan pud unta siya sa audience ba,” he said.

Gov. Davide was still outside the sports center when the incident occurred. Former cabinet members Leila De Lima and Joel Villanueva joined him and the Cebu Province contingent, which was next to arrive at the grandstand. Former Philhealth Board of Director Risa Hontiveros was also with the group.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, meanwhile, was inside the sports center as she attended the mass.

She shared the stage with suspended Cebu City Mayor Rama and VP Binay when some people from the audience shouted boos to the vice president.

The governor believed there was nothing political with the vice president’s words as he only greeted the crowd “Viva Pit Senyor.”

While he believed that Binay deserved respect, the governor also stated that the people can’t be blamed for shouting boos.

He said the people might have thought that it is not right to use the occasion for politicking or campaigning.

But because it is election time, he said, some people might have construed the VP’s presence in light of his presidential candidacy.

“You know it’s election year lagi, kampanya na, you can’t stop the people from thinking like that,” he added.

Gov. Davide is the provincial chairman of LP while Rama is affiliated with the United Nationalist Alliance of the vice president.

The Capitol is giving P3 million financial assistance to Sinulog Foundation this year.

By Xerxes Alkuino