Binay, Roxas trade blows at Mindanao debate

CAGAYAN DE ORO — Presidential aspirants Vice President Jejomar Binay and administration bet Mar Roxas took a swing at each other during one of the rounds of the presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro on Sunday.

Roxas was initially asked about his plans on battling the issue of illegal drugs in the country.

The administration bet, a former secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government, cited his work in the government agency. Roxas boasted that P20 billion worth of drugs were seized during raids when he was Interior secretary.

Binay, however, hit back at Roxas and said that his enforcement was "weak."

"Nalalaman ng mga illegal drug syndicates ano ang ginawa? Wala masyado nahabla... Wala naman nangyayari. Hindi ho decisive and leadership," Binay said.

The vice president then stressed that he is a decisive leader. He cited his previous accomplishments as Makati City mayor.

Roxas then rebutted Binay, arguing that Makati has the highest number of drug raids.

"Nabanggit ni VP Binay ang Makati pero hindi ba dalawa ang Makati? Makati ng Ayala na maunlad, marami ang trabaho at Makati ng mga Binay na mahirap pa rin," Roxas said.

Binay denied the claims of Roxas, pointing out that illegal drugs was not a problem in Makati.

"Ewan ko kung saan ang (statistics) ni Roxas. Hindi ho problema sa amin ang droga. Masaya ang mga tao doon kasi ang mga lupa doon naibigay ko... Nakapag-deliver po kami naiangat namin ang buhay ng bawat isa," the vice president said.

The exchange between Roxas and Binay was then cut off due to limited time.

All five presidential candidates attended the first round of the presidential debates in Mindanao.