Makati Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay filed her certificate of candidacy (CoC) yesterday accompanied by her father, former vice president Jejomar Binay, officially sealing an electoral battle with her brother Junjun.
Junjun, filed his CoC on Tuesday.
Abby was also accompanied by her running-mate, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo.
The Binay patriarch declared his full support to his daughter’s bid for re-election.
“Let’s just say that I am supporting Abby,” he told reporters when asked who he will be campaigning for.
Abby, who will run under the United Nationalist Coalition (UNA), was also joined by her councillors including Rebo Saguisag Jr, son of former senator Rene Saguisag; Armand Padilla and re-electionist councilman Jhong Hilario.
The mayor said she was heartened by her father’s gesture of support. “I was surprised. I did not expect anything, that’s why it is truly heartening that my father is here,” she said.
She thanked her father for supporting her ticket. The elder Binay is running for a seat in Congress as representative of Makati’s first district.
Mayor Abby earlier said Makatizens are enjoying more services under a “transparent, professional and performing administration.” She vowed that if re-elected, she would pursue her father’s vision of a “competent, compassionate and transparent leadership.”
The other candidates for councillor are Martin Arenas, Alcine Yabut, Carmina Ortega, Joey Villena, Jojo Javier, Dennis Almario, Bodik Baniqued, Ives Ebrada, Ed Marquez, Doris Arayon, Ina Sarosa, Sammy Cruz, and Bong Ariones.
Also yesterday, UNA Secretary-General JV Bautista said Junjun may not be the party’s official candidate but he can count on the support of key leaders. Bautista confirmed that UNA leaders joined the clamour for the return of Binay Jr.
“Our presence yesterday with Mayor Junjun speaks for itself. Just like the councillors and barangay captains who have expressed their support for Mayor Junjun, we believe he is the best person for the job,” said the UNA stalwart.
Binay Jr was accompanied by Bautista, UNA President Senator Nancy Binay, younger sister Anne, and former Commission on Election chairman Sixto Brillantes when he filed his CoC.
Last week, 13 out of the 16 elected councillors and 21 out of 33 barangay captains declared their support for Binay Jr, who also won the backing of senior citizens, women’s groups and vendors federations.
Binay Jr said he would try his best to ensure that his supporters followed the parameters set by his father, who had exhorted both sides to run a clean, platform-based campaign.“It is not easy, there being two candidates; we have both served as mayor, so it is natural for our supporters to compare our leadership styles. What we can try to emphasise is to exert all efforts to make all discourse as civil as possible,” he said.
He added that he cannot stop the councillors accused by his sister of being involved in “nefarious” activities from defending themselves after they declared their support for him.
Former vice president Jejomar Binay raises the hand of daughter Abby (left), mayor of Makati City, and her running-mate, Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, after the two filed their certificates of candidacy.
