"My birthday wish is that I hope these people destroying my reputation would finally wake up and end their destructive politics. I wish that we elevate our political discourse and election and not resort to lies and mudslinging."
-- Vice President Jejomar Binay, on the eve of his 72nd birthday today
THE problem apparently is a failure of a meeting of minds.
Vice President Binay argues the charge of corruption is due to "destructive politics" and debate on fitness to be president must avoid assaults on character.
The public view, as expressed by CBCP secretariat executive director Fr. Edu Gareges who said he's more scared of having Binay as the next president than extending President Aquino's term, makes the clearing of the air imperative.
Binay has shunned the Senate where he thinks he can't get a fair hearing. The public wants Binay to refute the charges of dishonesty and ill-gotten wealth.
Where else could that forum be? Surely not in Binay's "direct-to-the-people" monologues that were self-serving and showed no evidence, only a stream of general denials, ad hominems, and cliches on keeping the verbal exchanges squeaky clean about him and his family.
Grime cannot be avoided as the accusation is about 13-percenting, kickbacks, and hiding wealth by trusted dummies.
Under rug
Binay wants to sweep the filth under the rug and let the ombudsman and the court take care of it. The public wants Binay to explain now, before elections, as the issue of integrity is relevant to his Malacañang quest.
Binay knows better. No gift store can supply his birthday wish.
(paseares@gmail.com)