Jejomar Binay, vice president of the Philippines, delivered a prepared speech for a total of 21 minutes with all the trappings of the higher office save the seal. He was focused on the bigger audience and contrasted himself with those who threw mud at him. Still, I maintain that he effectively repositioned himself and reframed the debate. An astute pivot was used.

Binay talked about his poor beginnings, his being a human rights lawyer and mayor of Makati. He talked about the programs that endeared him to residents of Makati, mind you not to businesses in the financial district of the country. That says a lot and gives one a different lens in viewing Makati under the years of the Binays.