Binay wants traffic education for grade schoolers

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay has urged the Department of Education to include a subject on traffic education in the elementary curriculum.

Binay said educating school children on traffic rules would help in addressing traffic woes, particularly in urban areas like Metro Manila.

“We should educate the children on traffic rules at an early age,” he said.

Binay served as chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Authority (now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) under the term of the late President Corazon Aquino.

If elected president next year, Binay said he intends to solve the traffic problem by utilizing other modes of public transport such as the Pasig River ferry system and fix existing modes of transport, particularly the trains.

Binay continues to enjoy the unwavering support of about 30 percent of the voters despite continued attacks against him and his family, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) said.

“The Vice President’s support base is consolidated, and this is reflected in the surveys,” UNA secretary general JV Bautista said in an interview with TV5.

Another libel rap vs Mercado

Binay filed another libel suit against former Makati vice mayor Ernesto Mercado for accusing him of demanding condominium units from developers in the city when he was still mayor.

In a complaint filed before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office, Binay cited Mercado’s presentation before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee on Nov. 18 last year where he accused the Vice President of asking for condo units from developers in exchange for building permits and tax concessions.

Binay said Mercado accused him of engaging in corruption. – With Mike Frialde