MANILA, Philippines – Senator elect Nancy Binay thanked the two “vices” who helped her land in the top 5 of the senatorial race -- her father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and comedian-host Vice Ganda.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Thursday, Binay said her father remains the biggest reason for her victory.
“Yung father ko, siguro baka sa kanya yung 1 and 2 na spots [among sa mga tao na talagang naka-contribute sa panalo]. Kumbaga, 'yung sinimulan niyang brand of service, I guess nakita ng mga kababayan natin na puwede ko din dalahin ang ganung brand of service sa Senado,” she said.
Binay, meantime, has let bygones be bygones between her and Vice Ganda, after the TV host criticized her during the last few days of the campaign for her lack of experience in politics.
Binay believes Vice Ganda’s comments about her supposed lack of track record did more good than harm to her campaign.
“'Yung epekto nung kay Vice Ganda, medyo pinag-usapan tayo. Pero 'yung kay Vice Ganda, I respect his opinion. Karapatan niya iyon, na magsalita ng ganun. Gusto ko magpasalamat kay Vice Ganda. Ganoon naman talaga. Tapos na ang halalan, dapat kung ano man ang hindi pagkakaintindihan, dapat tapos na iyan,” she said.
Binay said she and Vice Ganda can even work together in promoting common advocacies when she begins her work as a lawmaker in the Senate.
“We have to move forward. Ang daming kailangang gawin. Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ng UNA na ang kalaban namin ay kahirapan at kawalan ng trabaho. I guess kapag nagsimula na [ang trabaho], sana tulong-tulong tayo. Who knows, baka one of these days, baka kami ni Vice Ganda, hihingin ko ang tulong niya. Baka mayroon akong proyekto na makakatulong siya,” she said.
Binay is hoping Vice Ganda will use his popularity to advance the causes of some sectors of society.
“He can always use his popularity, puwede yung mga advocacy niya. Marami ang naniniwala kay Vice Ganda. [He can help] promote equality and awareness para hindi ma-discriminate lalo na ang mga third sex nga na tinatawag,” she said.
At the end of the day, Binay said she is determined to show the public that their votes for her were not put to waste.
“I think naa-appreciate talaga ng mga kababayan natin na yung pamilya ko ay talagang nagbibigay ng serbisyo sa kanila and ito yung evidence na gusto pa nila na may isa pang Binay sa ating pamahalaan,” she said.
Vice Ganda 'concedes'
In a separate interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Vice Ganda congratulated Binay and called on the public to stop criticizing the daughter of the Vice President.
“Nanalo na siya so itigil na natin ang kapaitan. Kung nanalo na 'yung tao, ibigay na natin sa kanya 'yung tagumpay niya, 'di ba? Nanalo siya, igalang natin iyon at kinongratulate ko siya. ‘Di na natin pwedeng i-contest iyon kasi tao naman na 'yung bumoto. Igalang na lang rin natin 'yung desisyon ng tao,” he said.
Binay was among the candidates the Commission on Elections proclaimed on Thursday night, along with Grace Poe, Loren Legarda, Sonny Angara and Chiz Escudero. – with a report from Anthony Taberna, ABS-CBN news
