“I will let the people of Makati decide.”
This was the statement of former Vice President Jejomar C. Binay after two of his children decided to run head-to-head for the mayoralty post in the May 2019 elections.
The former vice president said he respects the decision of both Makati City Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay and former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay and will just leave it up to the people of Makati to choose who best deserves their mandate.
The lady mayor has declared her decision to seek reelection as the official candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), the former vice president’s party, while his elder brother Junjun has also decided to join the mayoral race as the candidate of his local party, Una ang Makati (UAM).
“I am not the one who is responsible to decide for both of them but the people of Makati,” the older Binay said in a news statement.
He said both of his children have proven themselves to be highly competent and experienced in government service, pointing out that they share a genuine compassion for the people of Makati as manifested in their numerous initiatives for their constituents’ benefit.
The former vice president added he does not intend to impose his opinion on his children because both are already of age and capable of making decisions for themselves.
But as a parent, all he could do is to give them advice, he said.
Binay, who served as Makati mayor before he won as vice president in 2010, revealed that both camps have come to an agreement to maintain civility and sobriety while campaigning by solely focusing on their respective platforms and plans for the city and its people.
Campaign leaders and supporters will be asked to refrain from engaging in mudslinging and destructive propaganda, and instead keep the campaign positive and peaceful, he said.
Binay also expressed their collective commitment to making Makati a model of clean and honest elections.
He said that whatever the outcome of the elections in May 2019 will be, the people of Makati can be rest assured that they will continue to enjoy the Binay “brand of service.” He added that their family will remain strong and intact, and will not be divided by politics.
‘Official candidate’
Meanwhile, Abby said ,“I am deeply humbled by the trust given to me by my father. As his official candidate, I will continue to pursue his vision of a competent, compassionate and transparent leadership.”
She recalled that two years ago, they found the city government in a state of neglect and disorder.
“Worse, dirty politics and shameless political patronage had taken their toll on basic social services, depriving our beloved Makatizens of the service they deserve,” she added.
However, she noted that with her trusted team…of professionals, “I got down to the task of rebuilding our city by taking drastic but necessary measures to promptly restore efficiency, competence, professionalism and compassion in governance.”
She cited that for the first time in 12 years, Makati posted a double-digit growth in its revenue collections for the year 2017.
Likewise, Makati obtained the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit which rendered its “unqualified opinion” on our 2017 financial statements.
These recent achievements, she said, augur well for Makati and its people because stronger investor confidence translates to continued financial stability, which has underpinned the trailblazing programs and services of the city government started by her father which she continue to pursue and expand.
“With my father by my side, I will continue to work tirelessly for our city and our people,” she concluded.