MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Makati Second District Representative Abigail “Abby” Binay filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for Makati mayor under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) on Thursday, October 15.

Her brother, suspended Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr, was supposed to run for re-election, but his dismissal order over the allegedly overpriced Makati city hall parking building II made UNA decide to field Abby instead. 

Abby’s vice mayoral candidate is Makati First District Representative Monique Lagdameo, who filed her COC on Thursday.

Abby was accompanied by her entire family – her parents, Vice President Jejomar Binay and Elenita, and her siblings, Junjun Binay, Senator Nancy Binay and Anne – when she filed her COC.

Junjun Binay thinks his sister is “very competent” to run for mayor.

“Siya naman po ay halos 9 na taon na naging kinatawan ng lungsod sa Kongreso. Malaki rin ang naging ambag niya sa Kongreso. Siya po ay isang abogado. Makikita naman po natin in terms of karanasan, kaalaman, at kakayahan, kayang-kaya naman po ni Representative Abby na ipagpatuloy ‘yung serbisyong Binay na talagang tumutulong po sa mahihirap,” he told reporters.

(She became the city representative in Congress for almost 9 years. She has contributed a lot in Congress. She is a lawyer. We can see that in terms of experience, knowledge, and skills, Representative Abby can definitely continue the brand of Binay service that truly helps the poor.)

Junjun Binay said Abby’s husband, businessman Luis Campos, will run for representative of the 2nd District of Makati, while Councilor Concepcion “Ichi” Yabut will run as congresswoman for the first district. The two Congress hopefuls have not yet filed their COCs as of this posting.

Meanwhile, UNA’s slate for city councilors filed their COCs after Abby Binay and Lagdameo:

As of Thursday morning, two other Makati mayoral candidates have filed their respective candidacies: Makati vice mayor and current acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr of the Liberal Party, and art director Jimmy “Jimboy” Jumawan of the Partido Bagong Maharlika.

‘Party decision’

According to Junjun Binay, it was UNA’s decision for Abby to run for mayor.

“Ito ay naging desisyon ng partido. Of course, kailangan din nating [tignan] na there’s undue attention being given to us,” Junjun Binay said. (It was a party decision. Of course, we have to consider that there’s undue attention being given to us.)

He was referring to the suspension order he is currently serving and his recent dismissal order, both from Ombudsman Conchita-Carpio Morales. (READ: Binay camp: ‘OA’ DILG served Junjun Binay’s dismissal order at home)

“Makikita natin na talagang election by elimination ang lumalabas na system na pinaiiral ng ating mga kalaban sa pulitika hindi lamang po sa aming pamilya pero sa iba pang mga lumalaban o tumitiligsa po sa administrasyon (We can see that apparently, election by elimination is the system this administration is doing to their political enemies),” he added.

According to Junjun Binay, the party’s decision was difficult for him as well. 

“Mahirap kasi siyempre maraming mga taong nananalig sa pamumuno po natin at marami pa ring umaasa na ako uli makakatakbo. Pero sa ganitong pagkakataon, ‘di natin pwedeng unahin ‘yung sarili natin. Merong desisyon ‘yung partido at ang paniniwala ng partido na ito ang higit na mas makabubuti sa mga kababayan natin,” he said.

(It was hard because there are people who still believe in me and who are hoping I would run again. But there are times when we should not let our personal interests get in the way. The party decided to choose Abby Binay because the party believes that would the best for Makati.)

Junjun Binay said he will still “work for the people of Makati.”

“‘Yun nga lang, nauukol, naaayon sa panahon ‘yung paglilingkod ko (However, I will be of service at the right time in the right way).”

Makati still for the Binays?

He also expressed confidence that his sister will beat Peña, who said that he does not consider the Binays to be his enemies yet he has chosen political rivals of the family as part of his ticket. (READ: Daughter of Binay’s accuser says she’s ready to serve Makati)

“Walang dahilan para matalo po tayo dito dahil ang puso at damdamin ng mga taga-Makati, ang pananalig nila [ay nasa mga Binay pa rin] (There’s no reason for us to lose here because the heart and the faith of the people of Makati are still on the Binay family),” Junjun Binay said.

Makati has been a stronghold of the Binay family since family patriarch, VP Binay, was appointed as its officer-in-charge in 1986. His wife, Elenita, was also a city mayor. Most of the incumbent city councilors are allied with the Binay family.

Hundreds of Binay loyalists also came to support the UNA slate on Monday.

“Ang paniniwala namin, nagtagal ang pamilya namin sa paglilingkod dito dahil tama ang ginagawa namin para sa mga taga-Makati kasi kung mali yun, matatalino ang mga tao dito. Makikita nila kung mali ang sistema ng pamamalakad namin,” said Junjun Binay.

(We think our family was elected to serve here for a long time now because the people in Makati see that we’re doing things right. They are smart. They would know if there was anything wrong with our system of governance.) – Rappler.com