By Sunday Post
In his speech before the city audience, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay elaborated about his much-talked about MBP and what does it mean.
His casual reply about MBP was that it means "May Bukas Pa", his favorite slogan to deliver his message of hope in these difficult times.
Mayor Lim, his host, however, sees it differently – "Mayor Binay President".
Lim made the revelation in the concluding part of his speech during the covenant signing of the sisterhood agreement between the cities of Makati and Tagbilaran.
Binay, who spoke ahead of Lim, said he recalled the Tagbilaran mayor's commitment to his political aspirations during a gathering of local officials in Makati several years earlier.
In his recollections, Binay said Lim had expressed his unequivocal support then, which he appreciates.
"Ako namay isang tao na may utang na loob (I am a man who values debt of gratitude)," he declared.
He expressed satisfaction that many of Makati's pro-people programs are also being implemented in Tagbilaran notwithstanding its size.
Binay did not directly discuss his own political plans but everything pointed to a bid for a national office.
"Handa Na Para Sa Bansa", screamed the bold letterings on the Makati service bus that was brought in for Binay's visit which included similar sisterhood agreement signings with the towns of San Miguel, Carmen and Baclayon.
A yellow multicab-type vehicle which was turned over to the Tagbilaran City government was less assertive: "Handog Kapatid ng Makati-Jojo Binay Mayor".
During his speech, Binay could not resist taking potshots at the Arroyo administration saying that he admires the courage of the Tagbilaran local officials for coming out in the open for the ceremony.
"We will give copies of the videos taken here today to Malacañang to show them the warm reception that we got from you," Binay told his audience in Pilipino, eliciting laughter and mild applause.
Binay said many local government officials do not want to court the ire of Malacañang because they are dependent on the internal revenue allotments.
He also dismissed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's response to the snipings of former President Fidel Ramos.
"She said there will be elections in 2010 but until (Friday) she never said it will be a presidential election," he added.
Binay, who is also president of the United Opposition, had previously declared he is available for the presidency but has lately skirted any direct references to it.
Lim said that it is not for him to say that Binay is running for president, vice president, senator or open for appointment as Cabinet secretary.
"I can only say that while MBP can mean 'May Bukas Pa', I see 'Mayor Binay, President," he declared.
