Poverty, not corruption, is PHL’s current moral issue –VP Binay

(Updated 4:26 p.m.) Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday said poverty, and not corruption, is the moral problem of the country that he will seek to address if ever he is elected president in 2016.

Facing members of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry during a forum in Pasay City, Binay, the opposition coalition's standard bearer, said he will devote his administration in the fight against poverty should he win as president.

“The moral problem actually is not corruption, the moral problem is poverty. That is what I have to face, not a fight against all these allegations but a fight to alleviate poverty in the life of every Filipino,” he said.

Binay, a subject of a year-long investigation by the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee, is facing graft and plunder graft charges over allegations of corruption during his term as mayor of Makati City.

Asked why he is not forthright in answering the corruption issues against him, Binay, who refused to attend the Senate hearings despite repeated invitations, said, " “There is no factual basis that I was not forthcoming. I appeared in at least  five forums."

"I filed an affidavit, presenting the defenses to show there was no graft and corruption after all, kaya lang nalunod sa media na I do not appear [at the hearings]," he added.

More jobs

In his opening statement, Binay said his administration will focus on "sustainable and shared economic growth" through balanced social and economic policies.

He also said that the economic gains being hyped by the Aquino administration "would have been more meaningful if it induced the creation of more stable jobs and opportunities for our people."

"I'm convinced that inclusive growth is possible with the right mix of social and economic policies by a government that is sensitive to both the needs of its residents and those who do business in the country," said Binay, who served as Makati mayor for multiple terms before getting elected as vie president in 2010.

Binay said his administration will focus on strengthening the mining, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors, saying these create more jobs.

"Our program of government covers increasing agricultural productivity, making the manufacturing and export sectors more competitive, and supporting environmentally- and socially-responsible mining," he said.

"These are the industries that can create the most number of jobs for common Filipinos," Binay added.

Charter change

Binay also expressed support for the amendment of the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution supposedly to encourage foreign investments and create a more vibrant business environment.

"First, we must amend the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution that currently restricts the entry of foreign investments in some major sectors of the Philippine economy. This single step serves as the impetus that will help address nagging problems in our country, such as, unreliable and expensive power, poor infrastructure, and lack of jobs," he added.

He said this is part of the "market-oriented and pro-business environment" that his administration intends to foster so that local and foreign firms will be allowed to "flourish" in the Philippines."

During his speech, Binay also reaffirmed his support for the enactment of the Fiscal Incentives Rationalization Bill; Build-Operate-Transfer Law amendments; Right-of-Way Bill; Creation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology; and the Reduction of the high levels of personal and income tax rates.

"These, we believe, are crucial measures to make the Philippines a more competitive business and investment destination," he said.

Experience as mayor

Binay drew on his long experience as Mayor of Makati and said the increased revenue from the business sector will greatly help in the implementation of social services.

"You may already be familiar with the menu of basic social services we've introduced in Makati, such as those in health, education, care for women and the elderly, and housing. These, however, would not have been possible without the increased revenues of the city government from the flourishing business sector," he said.

"The local government's role is to provide the policy environment that will make the city more conducive to business and attract investors who will stimulate the economy as they develop industries and create thousands of jobs," he added. —Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News