Kaban ni D_BystandeR: KADUDAHAN ANG PANGUTINGKAY SA SENADO BATOK NI BINAY

No other opinion writer can be expected to excel or even, at least, to come up close to match the high level of excellence by which Atty. JBJ is known to have acquired his skill and special expertise in analyzing, dissecting, and simplifying certain critical burning issues of the day. Perhaps, it is because of his high level of experience acquired from different brain storming sessions and analytical works as author of law books, Bar reviewer in well-known law schools in Manila, lecturer, and a man who has held sensitive high level government posts as well as in private companies during the prime of  his professional career. The comparison that he makes of the two cities, Makati and Iloilo, and the  two leading proponents of the controversy between Senate President Franklin Drilon and Vice President Jejomar Binay are poles apart. While Drilon, as a lawyer, works for the moneyed corporations' interests against poor employees, Binay was at the opposite side defending for the marginalized and the "unwashed." And he leads a risky calling as a street parliamentarian during the darkest pages of our national history under martial law regime of Dictator Marcos. Binay worked hand-in-hand in  the company of our exalted national leaders, like Senators Jose W. Diokno, Jovito Salonga, Lorenzo Tanada, Rene Saguisag, and many others whose love of country with their unquestioned integrity is beyond reproach. When it comes to his role in President Cory's administration and with his unyielding advocacy to remain true to the ideals that Cory stands and represents, his record can bear this out as to how he carried his public life in the most commendable manner. Those senators, Trillanes and Cayetano, who were known to have particularly lambasted Binay during the BRSC  (Blue Ribbon Sub-committee) inquiry are now seen surprisingly as eagerly proposing to terminate the BRC (Blue Ribbon Committee) inquiry over Drilon's alleged involvement with the questionable construction of ICC (Iloilo Convention Center) because in their own assessment and appraisal it does not need one more time to clear it of doubts. While the Binay case involving the Makati Building II was already investigated by the BRSC for the 9th time, they want the ICC case investigation stopped after only one inquiry. Binay belongs to the opposition UNA Party while Drilon is the Senate President of the ruling party in power, the LP. Your judgment and studied guess where these two particular investigations are headed, are as good as mine!

Did it occur to you to ask who is currently behind this shameless "demolition job" against Binay? Or you just try to conveniently and intentionally overlook the glaring reality that this has the blessing of P-Noy? Before this massive campaign turned out to be the most heavily supported by this powerful administration to register into everybody's mind, as the campaign proved to be so impressive as it is covered by all the media outlets, Binay was confidently enjoying his steady lead in the top spot of various poll surveys signifying he was on his unstoppable way to capture Malacanang in 2016. But the "forces of evil" was just lurking by the wayside and they cannot, in all likelihood, take it just sitting down. By all means they should come up with anything no matter how brutally conceived it would be, to destroy the honor and dignity of Binay, whose fame has already been successfully established during the darkest hour of martial law under Dictator Marcos, as a fearless human rights lawyer defending our hapless countrymen whose rights were wantonly trampled upon by Marcos "dogs,"  and as the man known for working hard to help the newly established administration of President Cory. His association with our renowned and illustrious leaders like Senators Jose W. Diokno, Lorenzo Tanada and Rene Saguisag, to name a few, has left a glorious  legacy in the minds and heart of our countrymen which cannot be easily ignored. Only those who do not consider Binay's glorious past in the company of our most exalted lawmakers during President Cory's time can afford to insult the personal history of this man known as Jojo Binay to his friends and admirers.

Footnote: This comment came out in connection with an article written by Atty. JBJ for The FREEMAN, entitled, "Tale of two cities: Makati and Iloilo." This came out on 11/17/14.