FORMER Philippine vice-president and Makati mayor Jejomar C. Binay Sr. said he won’t be involved in the rivalry of his two children, Current Makati Mayor Abigail S. Binay and former Makati mayor Jejomar “Junjun” S. Binay Jr., who plans to challenge his older sister’s reelectionist bid.
“Niririspeto ko ang desisyon nilang kumandidato bilang punong-lungsod ng Makati (I respect their decision to run for mayor of Makati),” the elder Mr. Binay said in a statement on Monday.
“Napatunayan na nila na pareho silang may kakayanan at karanasan sa paglilingkod sa pamahalaan. Kapwa rin sila may malasakit at tumutulong sa mga mamayanan ng Makati,” Mr. Binay added. (They already proved themselves that they both have the skill and experience to serve in government. Both of them also share a concern for and have helped the citizens of Makati.)
“Anuman ang maging result ng eleksyon, isang pamilya pa rin kami na hindi maaring awatin at sirain ng pulitika (Whatever the result of the election, we are still one family who won’t be separated or destroyed by politics).”
Ms. Binay was elected Makati mayor in 2016, after the younger Mr. Binay Jr. was ousted in 2015 by the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with alleged anomalies in the construction of a parking building by Makati City Hall. The Ombudsman’s ruling, however, was subsequently reversed by the Court of Appeals (CA).
The older Mr. Binay was Makati mayor from 1987 to 2010, a period only briefly interrupted by his wife’s mayoralty in 1998-2001, in accordance with the constitutional prohibition on Mr. Binay’s serving beyond three consecutive terms. Mr. Binay ran for and won as vice-president in 2010, and ran for president in the 2016 election won by President Rodrigo R. Duterte. — Gillian M. Cortez

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