FVR says vote for younger candidates; Jojo Binay is 72

FVR with Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. (left) and PACC President Michael Nierva at the Philippine Consulate boardroom.

FVR with Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. (left) and PACC President Michael Nierva at the Philippine Consulate boardroom.

Members of the community eagerly await their turn to be photographed with the former general-turned-President.  Photo by Jujo Conol

Members of the community eagerly await their turn to be photographed with the former general-turned-President. Photo by Jujo Conol

By Cristina DC Pastor

Former president Fidel Ramos was back at the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue on May 21, basking in the warm reception from members of the community, leaders of organizations, and consular officials.

Over breakfast, Ramos sat at the end of a long oak table, cracking joke after joke, and answering all questions thrown his way. He meandered though the past — his presidency, in particular — and walked his audience through historic dates and recollections of political personalities, betraying a sharp memory for one who just turned 87 in March.

Someone from the community asked Ramos’s views on who should be the next Philippine president after Benigno Aquino III. Ramos did not hold back.

“Elect younger ones,” he said. Then, he gave a broad smile.

Vice President Jejomar Binay: Age is an important political issue

Vice President Jejomar Binay: Age is an important political issue

“The world,” he said by way of elaboration, “is moving too fast, and leaders are best to keep up. That must be considered.”

He said there appears to be a global recognition for younger, energetic leaders. He mentioned Barack Obama who was elected U.S. president at 47, David Cameron, who became the youngest British prime minister at 43, and Germany’s Angela Merkel, who is now 60, but assumed the chancellorship when she was in her 40s.

Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay, considered to be very popular and a frontrunner in the May 9, 2016 presidential elections, is 72, Ramos pointed out. “After six years, he’ll be 79.”

Ramos said he was 64 when he was elected president, and at the end of his six-year term, “I was fagged out.”

The statement intrigued some in the community who noted its potential for double meaning: Is it a message for Filipinos not to vote for Binay, or for Binay to drop his aspirations for the presidency.

Binay is not the only politician likely, or being urged by supporters, to run for president. There are others, such as Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, who is 58; senators Grace Poe, 46; Alan Peter Cayetano, 44; and Francis Escudero, 45; and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, 70.

Binay’s popularity is being overshadowed by investigations into bank accounts owned by his family and contracts approved while the family ran the financial city of Makati. According to Rappler, “Binay was Makati mayor from 1986 to 2001, and from 2004 to 2010. He took a ‘break’ from 2001 to 2004 after serving three consecutive terms as mayor. His wife, Elenita, was elected mayor during that time.” Their son Jejomar Jr. became mayor in 2010.

Corruption and political dynasties were issues raised by the community during the breakfast forum. Ramos said a constitutional change, not legislation, may yet put an end to the tradition of electing members of the same family, especially in local politics.

“Do you see members of Congress approving a law against themselves?” he asked.

He said he is also in favor of a system where the president and the vice president running for office come from the same political party, “just like here (in the U.S.).” This would eliminate, he said, the spectacle of the two highest officials constantly fighting each other while in power.

FVR jokes he is ‘waiting for a tricycle’ on Fifth Avenue. Photo courtesy of Juliet Payabyab

FVR jokes he is ‘waiting for a tricycle’ on Fifth Avenue. Photo courtesy of Juliet Payabyab

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