NAGA CITY --- Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay was cautious in baring his future political plan on his stop on this city, but in a meeting with co-members of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity on Wednesday night here, he said his group was already in the process of organizing and mobilizing possible supporters while he started making rounds across the country with Bicol as one of his first stops—barely announcing his bid for the Philippine Presidency in 2010.

Caption: NAGA GUEST. United Opposition president and Mayor Jejomar Binay of Makati City, a sister city of Naga, arrives here to address the graduating students of Ago Foundation College and meet with local officials as shown in photo with Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo, RTC Judge Junet Ayo and his wife Noni, and former Cong. Cho Roco. RANDY VILLAFLOR

        Binay said he would count much on Bicolanos if ever he would run for the top post two years from now.

        Hinting the possibility that Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero would not seek for the same position despite the latter’s good survey standing, Binay said the senator from Bicol would prove too young to aspire for the Presidency.

        He also said he was hoping that the Bicolanos’ familiarity with the economic situation of Makati City would propel him to popularity in this region come election time.

        He further said that if he were to aspire for the Presidency, his chances would be much better compared with the current crop of ‘Presidentiables,’ especially mentioning Senator Loren Legarda whom he said had a low chance of being elected since Filipinos would not want another woman president. But he was wary of two ‘rich’ candidates, referring to Senators Manny Villar and Mar Roxas.

        He also forewarned that it is very possible that the 2010 Presidential Election might not push through, saying that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would do everything to hold on to power for fear of what might ‘befall’ her once she is no longer President.

        “We could have a parliamentary government by 2010 or we could have a national election. With Arroyo as the President, chances of the two are the same,” he said.

        Binay was here for a council meeting of the Boy Scout of the Philippines, which he currently heads, and as commencement speaker of Ago Foundation College in this city.

        But the opposition stalwart also visited vote-rich Calabanga and Pili towns in Camarines Sur province, and talked with some recognized opposition leaders including the Fuentebellas of the third district of Camarines Sur and Mayor Fermin Mabulo of San Fernando, Camarines Sur.

        On a talk with Camarines Sur health workers convening in this city, Binay said the problems facing Bicol were the same as the problems facing any other place in the country.

        “We have many good laws and programs which are not properly implemented, or worst, not implemented,” he said.

        For instance, he added, as a rice-producing region, Bicol should have not been experiencing rice shortage if only the national government was prompt in carrying out relevant programs which could have mitigated the problem before it became an issue.

        In his speech before the graduates of Ago Foundation College, he denounced corruption while making references to some ranking government officials.