- Noticeably irked VP ignores moderator’s plea to stay onstage and shake hands with organizers
- Binay walked right out of the stage, also ignores his fellow candidates
- He later said he did not disappoint his alma mater (University of the Philippines) in the debate
MANILA, Philippines – It was just not Vice President Jejomar Binay’s night.
After being told he could not use his notes and with all the brickbats his rivals threw at him over his corruption issues during the presidential debate, a noticeably irked Binay ignored TV reporter Luchi Cruz-Valdes’ appeal for him to stay onstage after the event so organizers could shake his hand.
“Maraming salamat po. Huwag po kayong aalis. Magpapasalamat lang po ang aming Comelec chairman Andy Bautista at ang aming (TV5) presidente, si Noel Lorenzana,” she said.
[Thank you very much. Please don’t leave. Comelec chairman Andres Bautista and TV5 president Noel Lorenzana just want to thank everyone.]
However, Binay was already walking out the stage even as she directly pleaded with him to stay.
“Mr. VP, Mr. VP po,” she called out to him in vain.
Aside from snubbing Cruz-Valdes, Binay also refused to acknowledge Mar Roxas when the latter — who was talking with Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte — tried to shake his hand.
Later in an ambush interview, an adamant Binay – while not commenting on the snub – said he did not fail his alma mater in the debate.
“Basta ang sasabihin ko [All I can say is], I did not put down my alma mater, the University of the Philippines,” the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted him as saying.
Binay took his political science and law degree at the University of the Philippines.
Cruz-Valdes earlier apologized to Binay for mistakenly telling him he could bring notes. She again said sorry at the end of the debate, saying she did not know it was prohibited.
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