Is there a Binay-Marcos alliance shaping up?
By Raïssa Robles
But full military honors for a Commander-in-Chief who turned sections of the military into torture machines that killed and maimed thousands of Filipinos whose only crime was to oppose his rotten, greedy dictatorship?
Hell, no way!
The decision of Vice-President Jejomar Binay to recommend “full military honors” for a man who consistently lands in the TOP 10 of the world’s most despised and greediest leaders is astounding.
It is also totally disappointing, coming from a man who wants to be President of the Philippines someday. But totally understandable, coming from a man lusting for the presidency.
Why Binay totally disappoints
From one side of his mouth, Binay tells the Filipino people that Marcos does not deserve to be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). From the other side of his mouth, Binay tells the same Filipino people that Marcos needs to be honored by the nation, especially by the Philippine military, for his exploits during the Second World War (although these have been seriously questioned from many quarters) and for his deeds as Commander-in-Chief – a position he illegally occupied for 14 years from 1972 to 1986.
This is a slap on the faces of those military men who really died for their country or committed real acts of heroism.
A respected Filipino war historian, Dr. Ricardo Trota Jose, recently told me in an extensive interviews that most of Marcos’ locally-awarded war medals were highly suspicious.
With this recommendation, Binay has just shown to Filipinos what kind of President he could become someday, if voted into that office. Binay sees nothing really wrong with what Marcos did. He could even outdo Marcos. He has already started his own dynasty and his wealth has grown by leaps and bounds even though he has always been in government service.
Binay, once a poor man, is now very rich. Here, Binay poses for me in his vast living room filled to the rafters with Orientalia - PHOTO by Raissa Robles
Is this Binay’s way of thanking the Marcoses for helping him win in Ilocos Norte?
I wonder if there was a quid pro quo between Binay and the Marcoses: They would ensure his win in Ilocos Norte as Vice-President and in exchange, he would try to get their father honored in a big way.
You see, Binay pulled off a very surprising thing in Ilocos Norte – the bailiwick of the Marcoses. He won by a landslide there – with 120,853 votes. He won even more votes there than former President Joseph Estrada did, even though Estrada and the Marcoses go back a long, long way. Estrada won only 91,565 votes in Ilocos.
Binay, in fact, opposed Marcos. He was briefly put in jail by Marcos because he was lawyering for those fighting the dictatorship.
Look at Binay’s votes, according to the official canvass of Congress:
Jejomar Binay won by a landslide in Ilocos Norte - source Official Canvass by Congress
And look at Estrada’s votes, according to the official canvass of Congress:
Presidential candidate Joseph Estrada won much less than his vice-presidential mate Jejomar Binay in Ilocos Norte - Official Canvass by Congress
How did Binay manage to get 30,000 more votes than Estrada? Did he DROP Estrada? Is that why Estrada FORGOT to vote for him on his ballot last election day?
Is there a Binay-Marcos alliance shaping up? Hmmm. Binay for President, Senator Bongbong Marcos for Vice-President? Binay with his cunning, the Marcoses with their unsequestered billions?
Two months ago, I wrote a piece entitled Why the Marcoses want Ferdinand buried a hero. I said this was obviously part of a grand plan by the Marcoses to launch Senator Bongbong Marcos’ 2016 bid for the presidency.
Senator Marcos answered me on Twitter and said “Thanks, but no thanks” because he would have to give up life with his family which he enjoys. But that kind of explanation in no way rules out his running for higher office. Besides, his mommy wants him to.
Pairing with Binay could let him have his cake and eat it too. I’m not endorsing him. Just seeing the possibility which I’m sure has crossed the Marcoses’ minds.
As for Binay, there’s a very apt Filipino slang phrase to describe Binay – atat na atat na maging presidente.
Binay has insisted on holding office at the Coconut Palace. Is it because Binay wants to be able to say that he,too, is staying at the Palace?
Once Binay stays at the Coconut Palace, the public may well start calling it the House of Monkey Business.
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Related Stories
Part 1 – Eminent Filipino war historian slams Marcos burial as a “hero”
Part 2 – Marcos’ Medal of Valor ‘highly suspicious’, says Filipino war historian
Marcos’ proof for his war medals was a book on goldfish and plants
Why I write: And what this has to do with Rizal and Marcos
Why the Marcoses want Ferdinand buried a hero
Bongbong Marcos replies to me: The Presidency? “Thanks, but no thanks.”
Felix Fojas says
The Burial (A protest poem written and published by Felix Fojas during Martial Law days)
The howling mob tore him to shreds
For scripting the murder of their hero;
Yes, they buried him without ceremony
In an unmarked grave which they bulldozed to
Insure he could not plot a Second Coming.
Gone the power, the kingdom and the glory,
Useless the billions hidden in Swiss banks;
Helpless all blue assassins and bodyguards,
Tongueless all fawning dogs who licked his lies.
That very same moonless midnight hour
The flowers deserted his wreaths,
The worms refused to gobble him up,
And the earth spat him out of its grassy mouth
Like phlegm that got stuck in the throat of night.
Atty Bernie David says
All these debates only prove one thing: Marcos is divisive, dead or alive. The way the Filipinos decide on how he is buried will reverberate through the centuries . The manner the current leadership handled it shows the weakness of the current sitting President and the opportunistic nature of his Vice President. Those who suffered during the dark days of martial law have only themselves to blame if the Marcoses get their way.
Lolit says
yes…….being fixated goes both ways…you are so fixated in the successors of Marcos, and you are fixated on UP grads becoming Maoists…..probably, this is your way of getting at the UP because you failed to study there…..call it obsessive fixation……talk of inggit…….hmmmm…Marcos is also a UP grad….
and yes…you are free to make a fool of yourself…..^_^
bob says
it’s simply sad to see that there are people who refuses to understand what is actually happening.. that no matter how glaring are the truth, it is convenient for them to sidetrack the issue and blare on extinct chants..
Lolit says
Can I just say something?
Ang hirap basahin ng mga comments kapag maraming grammatical errors.
May I suggest something?
Take deep breath, then, write your comments. ^_^ You could still be venomous in your comments, using correct grammar.
Be that as it may……Yes, the Marcoses obviously believes in the saying “patience is virtue” because their patience is paying off….and Yes, permanent interests are the only things that count in politics….and another Yes, we are all being made fools of the highest order should Marcos be honored as a hero and interred in Libingan ng mga Bayani.
And another suggestion, please, Ceclio Arillo is just one of the many writers on Philippine politics. Please read the others, too, so that you can really say that you can see the whole picture. Basing all your comments on one book just will not pass as analytical thinking.
Luz says
Who ask you to read if you’re not interested? I don’t blog, I am not a writer, why should I take my time to check typos or grammar? Holly cow! So ,your are here as proofreader checking typos and grammar? This is the problem among Filipinos, perfectionist? Is that the way you do it, policing commentators if they wrote the right grammar etc? Ugaling mga Pilipino ganyan karamihan, kayabangan at akala mo perfect! You don’t need to tell me which one i have to read or not, I read what I feel like, and of course preferential ko ay mga credible na mga tao. I read books that I think more credible than hearsay! Apparently ,U.P. students in the 70s were inspired by Maoist educators(my best friend”s cousin became commander of NPA, btw a female Doctor graduated in UP, at the same time, her male cousin also from U.P. but he is Professor,another Maoist). For sure ,the way you think is fixated to Marcos alone,while his successor Cory Aquino apparently worst than him but you are fixated with Marcos , and turn a blind eye to the rest of his successor! Well, blinded people doesn’t seem to see anything,because they despise just one and condone the rest? BTW, Are you getting paid to proofread,lol lol lol hope you are well paid!!
Luz says
Mrs. Robles, I know you don’t like how I am replying to your comments or to some of the commentators! Don’t want a more accurate one? This will be my last post, to add more of my commentaries!! Mrs. Imelda Marcos was acquitted from most off the cases against them ! Only one case was not, and it is the reparation for the missing people under Marcos.s tenure! That they still have to pay, they never kill anyone, but of course the soldiers did because they were given the authority at that time if the NPA shoot them, they need to fight back (not like the Human Rights commission who are very biased against soldiers) and kill them (not that I wanted slaughtering NPA, but get them first before they get you) to keep themselves away from harms way! (According to Mr. Arilllo, Cory Aquino a suspected communist was appointed in her cabinet too).
Luz says
Mrs. Robles,I would like to know how did you investigate the whole matter? Did you really did it yourself of depended to some of your Maoist inspired friends? You are after Binay, after Marcos’s ( who btw way the only Pres. who put Phil. in the map,But I bet you know nothing because you must be an elitist.).According to Mr. Cecilio Arillo’s authored book “Greed and Betrayal” Cory Aquino is far worst then Marcos (have to mention that he had journalist investigative friends whom he collaborated with, interviewed Laurel ,who quit the VP because he doesn’t Cory”s leadership, etc etc) Mr.Arillo never listen to any hearsay, not like the rest of the Maoist ( damn Mao, his legacy was indoctrinated to Filipino students especially in U.P because of the Maoist educators, Mao a Killer of multi-million Chinese people, and brainwashed people have no way to get out what was implanted in their young brains , unless they will read more about him). You are laying out some of the half full glass here, Is it a part of your plan to indoctrinate people in your site, just to keep destroying Marcos? He did a lot of good than evil, but you people are still rebelling against him. Can you please read about the past president and compare who did what? I believe that you are one of the Maoist brainwashed, who btw, Ninoy Aquino apparently one of the leader (have to mention that I had relatives who joined the NPA in the 70″s because of their ignorance while we left the country and move to Manila because of the Brutal NPA) Please to more research, not base on hearsay! Thanks.
raissa says
Wow, you’re foaming at the mouth. Wipe your mouth first.
First off, I never was an activist. So Maoist doesn’t count.
You are falling into that Marcos trap and phonus balonus argument that anyone against him must be a communist.
Second, I’m not an elitist. I’m strictly middle, middle class.
Third, you are quoting Cecilio Arillo. Of course he would say Greed and Betrayal because he was pro-Enrile and pro-Gringo. He thinks Enrile should have become president (and hemight have been the one) if their coup had succeeded. but it did not. So sorry for Arillo.
And by the way, Laurel never QUIT the vice presidency. but he tried with all his might to become the president. I know that because I interviewed him extensively at that time.
I have no axe to grind except for the truth. And the truth is – Marcos was a thief and a liar. And I have the evidence to prove it.
Anything more?
Luz says
hello, you are one hell close minded! You believe what you know without trying to balance itbecause it is already implanted in you . I consider that you are one of the indoctrinated Maoist! You just shot Cecilio Arillo right then and there! He is more credible source and respected journalist who btw imprisoned under Marcos and C.Aquino. You discredit his knowledge and integrity right away, because as I said,you are programmed like most of your Maoist friends! Ponce Enrile who helped Cory to become one of the Most corrupt accidental pres who imprison him. why should he took side then. Luarel was interviewed by him and you did not! Laurel quit and if you read Greed and Betrayal his letter of resignation is in the book.Anyhow , even then, you are still in denial or let say, now way because you think your knowledge must be better( lol lol lol karamihan sa ating mga Pilipino matataas ang mga ere or pataasan ng ihi)than him. I read a lot of Filipino blogsite and most of you are just one side of the coin. Most of my knowledge about Phil politics are recently acquired doing some digging and I believe majority are not that creative thinker or critical thinker! Most of them are programmmed , the communist are winning!!Mao Tse Tung Troll must be very happy laughing uncontrollably besides Satan because his legacy lives on!!
Dionesio says
To their credit the Marcoses had patiently waited for this right time to resurface and defiantly show to the world that even righteousness and justice are no match to the combined forces of selfish ambitions, looted wealth, corrupt politicians and journalists-for-hire. Having regained powerful positions in the government and much of the stolen billions untraceable, the stage is set for them and henchmen to connive in a shameless bid to change how the strongman is perceived in history. There is really no excuse for anyone to feign ignorance about that tragic chapter of our nation’s history: the Marcos conjugal dictatorship. Much less the ‘honorable’ members of the House of Congress. But then that would be giving undue credit to a body with many members perceived as spineless wheeler-dealers who cavort on pork barrels, self-promotions and buddy-buddy compromises with colleagues.
Luz says
Oh yes? So do you believe in fairy tale? The Marcos’s were acquitted in most of the case against them. Did you know that most of their money are in the Gold Bullion (Marcos used to be a lawyer of Miners) , although I believe that they might have stolen some , but it is not like Cory Aquino and her cronies including her relatives(have to mention that according to the book of Cecilio Arillo, he sold the sequestered buildings and other businesses from Marcos cronies,and sold to her own family lower than the market value). You guys are indoctrinated with half truth ,you believe in every word that comes out from the Maoist(NPA) people who hates Marcos because he went after them! He never massacre anyone, while Cory Aquino massacred and killed how many. To these day, Hacienda Luisita’s never been resolve because most of you are after one person alone and the dead man Marcos. I will recommend to enlighten your clog mind by reading `GREED and BETRAYAL’ by Ceclio Arillo just to be enlighten, unless you are already programmed on just one side of the equation! To these day Phil is broken because everyone is sticking to one dead person only, while the the rest of the president after him are even worst and drag down the Phil economy to the floor!!
raissa says
Excuse me. Ferdinand Marcos never stood trial because he said he was too weak to stand one. He was deposed for the New York trial on the charge of racketeering and he refused to answer any of the questions.
The Marcoses lost the mother of all cases – Civil Case Number 1 – which enabled the Philippine government to get back US$356 million of the loot stashed in some of the Swiss banks. By the time the Philippine government got it, it had ballooned to over US$600 million.
Why in heaven’s name do you think the Swiss Federal Court ordered all that money to be sent back to Manila? Because they were kind? No, because the court ruled it was ILLICIT WEALTH of the Marcoses.
rhadem says
Fool Military Honor? u must be kidding Mrs. Raissa Robles….. i guess you’re one of those fools who act like a true nationalist! What a lame article from some1 like you… but i respect your views…. somehow i think, you’re one of those yellow zombies who isolate theirselves from light and playing the rolw of martyrs!
raissa says
Yes, Rhadem. I’m one of those fools who continue to live in this benighted country hoping for meaningful change. And one way to achieve that, I hope, is to make fun of the contradictions and incongruities in the current political culture.
Sorry to disappoint you. I’m not a yellow zombie. And I’m not a martyr either. I’m fighting back the only way I know how. With words. Words that the Marcoses banned and imposed with the death penalty when they were at the height of their power.
You just wish they’re back, hey?
Luz says
Rhadem, I agree with you, way to go! Too many fools who stick with their guns because they believe in every fabricated story from the Maoist or communist lovers! Mao (Marxist -Stalinist) is their hero, btw, a heinous criminal whom most of the Maoist implementing his legacy because of their .Selfish, self serving and self centered plan , it is their backward twisted will or nothing at all (don’t want to live in a communist country, people are fighting for their freedom, while Maoist or communist, they want to go back to Mao Tse Tung’s legacy or Chinese Communist way who suppressed, oppressed by the repressive communist leaders! Backward, twisted is not the way to grow the country, they are a part of the problem,menace!Thanks.
Luz says
Mrs. Marcos You are really ill-informed!! Did you know it was Imelda Marcos was tried in NY after F.Marcos passed -awayÉ Helllooo ,,,, ha ha ha ha you don`t really know that much, because you are just basing on the input of your Maoist sisters or brothers ! You are laughable!! I must have to laugh more ha ha ha ha ha
jc delosreyes says
a continuing soap opera of trapos of the highest degree
Mon Mayuga says
If the Binay-Marcos tandem is proved true in 2016, it will confirm the saying that in politics there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.
raissa says
Right you are, in Binay’s case.
Fidel Umaga says
Ang taong nakipag sunduan sa demonyo, ay demonyo rin ! Nabigyan ka ng pagkakataong, malusutan ang mga hablang kurapsion laban sa yo sa Makati. Dapat ginamit mo ang pakakataong ito upang makapanilbihan ka ng malinis sa bayan. Pansarili ka rin tulad ng mga nauna sayo . Nakalimutan mo na ba ang iyong pinagmulan at ang mga prinsipyong iyong pinaglaban na naging susi upang buksan namin ang aming mga puso sa yo ? Totoo nga ang kasahihan ng mga matatanda : ANG BABOY, MASKI ANONG BIHIS, BABOY PA RIN !
emerito f. salud says
HUBRIS or mistaken sense of gratitude ? But no matter what, it is a grave mistake for VP Jejomar Binay to have made that recommendation on Marcos. Obviously, he is parlaying the wisdom of the past for his own
political future. It is truly unfortunate for this ex-future president of the Philipines. Worst, he has bequeathed to those who came from him this grave error. This will define his children and their grandchildren too, as others are defined by the legacy of their own forebears. What a waste !
Political Jaywalker says
Fool military honor for Marcos will not be complete without fool military parade led by a fool and fool people watching it, LOL…..
raissa says
You put it so —- It will be painful to watch if it pushes through. It would mean PNoy has yielded the presidency to Binay.