Mocha asks Comelec to look into Binay's health; Jojo's camp calls plea 'laughable, pathetic'

Former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) deputy administrator Mocha Uson has asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to look into former Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay’s health, saying that she received reports of his “failing health.”

In a letter addressed to the Comelec commissioners, Uson expressed concern over the reports she received that Binay, who is a senatorial candidate, was reported in “poor health and is not able to participate fully in the campaign period.”

“Aside from being absent in many rallies, he has also been largely unseen and unheard during the entire campaign period. And given the reports on his supposedly failing health, quite alarming. Mr. Binay has been among the most vocal critics of our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, yet during this period where his voice needs to be heard the most - he has stayed in the shadows,” Uson said.

“I do not hold any personal animosity against Mr. Binay, and I sincerely hope that the reports are untrue and that he is in fine health. If that is the case, then I wish him well in the coming elections,” she added.

In response, Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado on Wednesday said the former vice president was conducting campaign activities in Isabela province.

Salgado said Binay held a meeting with local officials and had a courtesy call with vice presidential candidate Sara Duterte.

“Busy po si dating VP Binay simula pa lang ng campaign period. Hindi po sya sumasama sa mga rally ng presidential candidates na kumuha sa kanya bilang guest senatorial candidate dahil ito po ang kanilang napagkasunduan. Nasa Facebook page po ang mga activities ni dating VP Binay, baka pwedeng tingnan na lang ni Ms. Uson,” he said in a statement.

(Binay has been busy since the campaign period. He did not join the rallies of the presidential candidates who took him as a guest senatorial candidate because this is what they agreed upon. The activities of Binay are posted on the Facebook page, maybe Ms. Uson may read it for reference.)

He also called Uson’s petition a “laughable, pathetic, and desperate” move following the endorsement of the Iglesia Ni Cristo to Binay.

“This so-called petition is laughable, pathetic, and desperate. Nakakalungkot lang na merong mga gustong siraan ang pangalan ni VP Binay, na malinaw ang track record ng paglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan, dahil pasok sya sa Magic 12 sa senatorial race at sinusuportahan siya ng Iglesia Ni Cristo, kilalang political leaders at local officials, at ng marami nating kababayan,” he added.

(It is unfortunate that she wants to tarnish the name of Binay, whose track record of service to our countrymen is clear, because he entered the Magic 12 in the senatorial race and is supported by Iglesia Ni Cristo.) —NB, GMA News