Jejomar Binay overcomes accusations of kickbacks to wrest back front runner status in Philippine presidential campaign
Binay, who leads the main opposition alliance, denies the corruption allegations against him and members of his family.
Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay has overcome a barrage of graft allegations to re-emerge as front runner to become the nation’s next leader, according to an independent poll released on Friday.
The 73-year-old had long been the favourite but his poll numbers tanked last year when allegations emerged that he and his son, both former mayors of the Makati financial district, had taken huge kickbacks in the construction of a city-owned car park building.
Pollster Social Weather Stations said the vice-president had regained a clear lead with 31 per cent preferring him in its January 8-10 nationwide survey.
Some people are cynical, reasoning out that all politicians are corrupt anyway
“Some people are cynical, reasoning out that all politicians are corrupt anyway,” political analyst Ramon Casiple, from Manila-based think tank the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform, said.
Binay, who leads the main opposition alliance, denies the corruption allegations against him and members of his family. His spokesmen did not reply requests for comment on the latest survey results.
In the Philippines, presidents can only serve a single six-year term.
President Benigno Aquino, a popular leader, has anointed fellow Liberal Party stalwart Mar Roxas as his preferred successor.