SIBLING RIVALRY With both of his children, Abby and Junjun, bent on running for Makati mayor, former Vice President Jejomar Binay could only offer his support and advice: Stick to issues and avoid hurtful words. 鈥擨NQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Apparently recognizing the futility of persuading them to give way to each other, former Vice President Jejomar Binay has left it to the voters to decide who between his two children will end up mayor of Makati City in next year鈥檚 election.
鈥淚 will not decide who between the two of them is more deserving to become city mayor. This decision will be made by Makati citizens,鈥� Binay said in a statement on Monday.
Incumbent Mayor Abby Binay, however, appears to have the advantage as she is the official candidate of her father鈥檚 political party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
Local party bet
Her brother, former city Mayor Junjun Binay, on the other hand, will be running under the newly formed local party, Una ang Makati (UAM).
According to their father, who himself occupied the city鈥檚 top post for many years, his children are of 鈥渢he right age and can think for themselves.鈥�
All that he could do now was to give them advice: 鈥淭hey should tell their leaders and supporters to act honorably and stay calm. Avoid hurtful words and make the campaign a positive and peaceful experience.鈥�
Binay also urged his children to be 鈥渞ole models of honorable and clean elections,鈥� saying the family will continue to serve and remain a family which 鈥渃annot be broken by mere politics鈥� regardless of the poll outcome.
During a family meeting on Sunday鈥攁 day after Binay and wife, Elenita, returned from a pilgrimage to Italy鈥攖he family agreed that while campaigning, Abby and Junjun would discuss only their platforms and plans for Makati residents.
Abby Binay did not take part in the family meeting although her father told her to defer to the statement he would issue.
Neutral stance
In a separate statement, Junjun Binay thanked his father for 鈥渞especting the voters of Makati鈥� by not taking sides.
鈥淲e have both served as mayor of Makati, and its residents have seen our different leadership styles. I believe they have a basis for comparison and can decide who between the two of us can better serve the city and its people,鈥� he said.
Abby Binay also issued a statement in which she said she was 鈥渄eeply humbled by the trust given to me by my father.鈥�
She added that 鈥渁s his official candidate, I will continue to pursue his vision of a competent, compassionate and transparent leadership.鈥�
鈥淲ith my father by my side, I will continue to work tirelessly for our city and our people,鈥� she said.
Binay himself will be running under UNA, seeking to represent the city鈥檚 first district in Congress.
In a previous interview, Abby Binay had discussed the possibility that she and her brother might end up running as independent candidates should they both be endorsed by their father and his party.
Under election rules, if a political party nominates more than one candidate for the same position, then all the nominations for that particular post 鈥渟hall be denied by the Commission on Elections and they shall all be declared independent.鈥�
The rivalry between the siblings was exposed last week after 13 out of the 18 incumbent city councilors, and 21 out of 33 barangay officials defected from Abby Binay鈥檚 camp and expressed their support for Junjun Binay.
Supporters switch
They called the incumbent mayor 鈥渉eartless鈥� and 鈥渋nsensitive鈥� to the plight of the city鈥檚 marginalized.
Abby Binay, however, dismissed their accusations, saying they were trying to get back at her after she ordered an investigation of all councilors allegedly involved in corrupt practices.
While she is gunning for a second term, her brother is eyeing a return to politics following his dismissal as Makati mayor by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2015 over allegations of overpricing.
His dismissal, however, was overturned by the Court of Appeals last May.