FORMER Vice President Jejomar Binay on Monday, September 24, decided to once again return to public office and run as the second district representative in Makati City in the upcoming May 2019 elections.
Binay’s spokesperson Joey Salgado confirmed that the former vice president is eyeing for a government position along with three of his family members — his daughters Senator Nancy Binay and Makati Mayor Mar-Len Abigail Binay-Campos, and son-in-law, Makati City Second District Representative Luis Campos — all of whom are vying for a reelection.
“I am confirming that former VP Binay will run as Representative for the First District,” Salgado said in a statement as reported by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The spokesperson also said that Binay would be a constructive voice should he be elected in office.
“He does not believe in obstructionist politics or opposing just for the sake of opposing. The former vice president will be a constructive voice in Congress,” he added.
Salgado believed that the former vice president will be able to help alleviate the situations of those who live in poverty.
“He intends to support policies and programs that will improve the lives of the poor and the middle class. In the same manner, he will point out policies and programs that could burden our countrymen. But he will also propose solutions,” Salgado said.
Salgado also announced that the former long-time mayor would join “the ticket of Mayor Abby” as they are members of the political party United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), presided by Senator Nancy.
However, the senator claimed to be as surprised as everybody when her father publicly announced that he will return in government service.
“We haven’t talked about it. All I knew was that he would go to Italy to pray,” she said.
The current Makati City mayor, Abby, also welcomed her father’s plan as she honored her father onstage during a flag ceremony.
“It’s a big honor to stand on a stage with a person who taught and showed me the true essence of faithfulness in service, the beloved of Makati City, my father Jojo Binay,” she said as reported by The Manila Times.
Undoubtedly, the Binays were often accused of perpetuating a political dynasty given that everyone in their family has been in power at some point. Senator Nancy said that they were elected officials and that the people must have placed them there for a reason.
“At the end of the day, the people will choose who they will vote for. It’s still the will of the people,” she said.
She also expressed her support in his father’s plan. She firmly believed that the public still trusts her father because of his service to them.
“I don’t think that could be erased. It will always be there,” the senator said.
Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) member and action movie star Monsour del Rosario is the current representative of the first district Makati. However, he is rumored to be vying for a Senate run. There are also claims that former Makati Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr. would become the former vice president’s opponent.
The said first district is labeled as the wealthy part of the city. It encompasses the areas of Forbes Park, Dasmariñas, Magallanes, Bel-Air, San Antonio, San Lorenzo, and Urdaneta villages.
