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VP Binay won't retire from politics yet –staff


Vice President Jejomar Binay has no plans of retiring from politics despite losing in the recently concluded May 9 presidential race, his chief of staff said Thursday.

“Natalo lang siya but hindi naman ibig sabihin retired ka na sa pulitika,” Undersecretary Benjamin Martinez Jr. told reporters when asked on Binay's plan after his term ends on June 30.

Martinez said he does not know what Binay’s specific plans are except that the outgoing vice president is interested in strengthening his political party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), and its members.

"Ang sabi lang niya sa akin, number 1, of course marami din kasing nanalong UNA candidates sa local, hindi naman niya pwedeng pabayaan yun. I think he will try to strengthen them whoever they are, kung gaano man karami yan,” he said.

Binay placed fourth in the five-way presidential race with only 5 million votes.

Martinez said Binay also wanted to be active in his foundation, JCB Foundation, which was formed in 2005 to help support his philanthropic and charitable projects.

"Sabi nga ng marami, VP Binay is an institution when it comes to politics, government service, governance.  Maybe it’s time to start training new leaders,” he said.

Martinez believed Binay, whose term as vice president was rocked by accusations of corruption allegedly committed when he was mayor of Makati City, will now be able to be a full-time grandfather to his grandchildren.

"Basically gustong gusto nun maging lolo  tuwang tuwa sa kanyang mga apo. Baka yun ang gagawin niyang full time siguro," he said.

Packing

With less than a month left before Binay steps down from office, Martinez said they are about to finish packing the outgoing vice president's things from his office at the Coconut Palace.

“We started packing last month pa and right now finishing na lang," he said. "Basically we are ready to go."

He said they have packed at least 10 balikbayan boxes of books and souvenirs given to Binay.

Asked how Binay is after his defeat, Martinez said the vice president is now back to his regular routine.

"He is okay. He has been receiving guests, well wishers almost every day here (Coconut Palace) especially sa afternoon andito siya palagi. He is going back to his own routine which is walking in the morning,” he said. —KBK, GMA News

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