6 Reasons Why Jojo Binay could Win the 2016 Presidential Election

First of all, I’m not a supporter of Binay, Roxas or Poe – the three who have already officially declared their presidential candidacies for the coming 2016 elections. As of this day, I’m still undecided as to whom my vote will go for the presidential poll. I’m writing this article to give some ideas, clues and updates about our country’s endeavor to elect the most deserving leader who will bring us to peace and prosperity.

There are several Filipinos, especially the netizens, who think that Binay is already a certain loser in his bid to presidency because of the many allegations of corruptions that are thrown against him. However, there are some facts and other information that they might have overlooked. Here are 6 reasons why Jojo Binay could still win the 2016 presidential election:

1. More than half of the Filipinos cannot access the Internet.
There are only around 40 million Internet users in the Philippines. That is why no matter how many viral or trending memes, articles, videos and other social media posts are there that present Jojo Binay as an unworthy president, these online messages cannot reach the majority of the Filipinos – not to mention that not all Internet users believe all those allegations of corruptions against Binay.

2. Many Filipinos still believe that he’s innocent of corruption.
Binay’s new TV ad has not pleased a number of netizens and some of them have even called it disgusting. But in my opinion, the ad isn’t targeted to them. Its target audience are the poor who still believe in him and who watch television rather than access the Internet. For Binay’s haters, the ad appears to be sickening, but for his supporters, his “paawa” TV ad might just pull the trigger to touch the hearts of those who fully believe in him, as well as those who partly believe in him.

3. More than half of Filipinos consider themselves poor.
51% of Filipinos consider themselves poor and many of them wish to experience a life like in Makati. The city of Makati is known across the Philippines as a place, where residents get free medical care while senior citizens receive free birthday cakes. For the poor Filipinos who live in the provinces and who cannot even afford to buy a piece of cake, those enticing information could influence them to wish that Binay will be the next president so that he could also do to the Philippines what he has done in Makati.

4. Binay has a strong local base.
Jojo Binay will not win the vice presidential race against Mar Roxas in 2010 if not his strong local base. In my own theory, the reason why Roxas was appointed as secretary of DILG is for him to develop strength in the local arena and weaken Binay in that spot. But did he succeed? With Roxas’ performance in handling the Yolanda and Zamboanga siege incidents, I don’t think he has succeeded.

5. He has a big campaign fund.
I don’t have any concrete or specific idea where Binay is getting the money for his presidential campaigns. But one thing is for sure – it is huge. His first TV ad has been aired as early as September 2014. And Binay is not stopping there. His new TV ad has been airing toe-to-toe with Roxas’ TV ad in the prime-time shows, like Eat Bulaga. His Facebook Ad campaign is also one of the earliest I’ve seen on social media. Binay’s official Facebook Page has already more than 1.7 million likes as of today. He is already the second most liked presidentiable on Facebook, next to Senator Mirriam Santiago’s more than 3 million organic likes.

6. He’s the most relentless presidential candidate out there.
Vice President Binay is the most hardworking, prompt and relentless presidentiable when it comes to campaigning. In a report by Rappler, Binay’s machinery for his presidential bid has already been running since he declared his plan to become the president of the Philippines 5 years ago. He also stated that he has already travelled to three-fourths of the Philippines – a feat which is already hard to catch up by his rivals.

Final thoughts
Binay has already surprised many of us when he defeated Mar Roxas during the 2010 vice presidential poll. If he will win the 2016 presidential race, I wouldn’t be surprised again. Grace Poe’s declaration to run for president is definitely a game changer. But we are not yet sure how it will affect both Binay’s and Roxas’ chances in the poll results.

Former president and incumbent Mayor of Manila Joseph Estrada also have to announce yet who will get his support. Estrada, a popular figure among the poor, can significantly increase the chance of Binay or Poe, or whoever will get his support.

And of course, let us not also forget other presidentiables, like Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte, Senator Miriam Santiago and Senator Bongbong Marcos who could also change the game in the presidential race.

We still have more than seven months to think, study, analyze and finalize our votes. I hope that Filipinos will not make a mistake. Let’s not vote for a corrupt leader. Let’s vote for a person of action, dedication and compassion.