The battle for the country’s leading financial business district

Someone once said that siblings are the only enemies we can’t live without. With four siblings, including two older brothers, I agree. Growing up, I’ve fought with all of them, no exception — with sticks and stones and everything I’ve got. We’ve cried, argued, shouted until we didn’t anymore. 

Things usually went back to normal as if nothing happened. These fights indeed are as ordinary as going to school or taking a bath.  We love, we hate, we laugh and then we fight again.

Normal as sibling fights are, I can’t imagine why the ongoing conflict between Makati Mayor Abby Binay and her brother Junjun seems to have spiralled out of control for all the world to see. Of course, I’m not from a political family and I’m sure that makes all the difference. 

The siblings — two years apart with Mayor Abby born in 1975 and Junjun born in 1977 — are both gunning for the mayoralty post in next year’s elections. Abby has been city mayor since 2016, while Junjun served from 2010 to 2015.

I asked some businessmen from the country’s leading financial district what they think of the conflict between the two siblings.

Some are worried. They said it may not be good for Makati considering the gains that Mayor Abby has accomplished in a short span of time. 

At the same time, one businessman also said, “Well, whoever wins, it’s still a Binay, right?”

I haven’t had the chance to meet Junjun, but I’ve had the chance to interact with Mayor Abby quite a few times. She’s a fresh face after years of seeing her father and brother frequent the headlines on a wide range of issues, including scandals.

Mayora seems to know what she’s doing. She’s funny and amiable, too.

How this sibling face-off will end is still anybody’s guess. Initially, I thought it was just a gimmick, but people close to the Binay family insist that it’s not. 

What is clear is that some businessmen fear that a change in leadership could erase the gains the city has achieved. 

Makati, for instance, has been recognised for record high tax collections last year. Total revenue collections reached P16.97 billion, 12 percent more than the previous year’s tax-take.

It’s the first time in 12 years that the city posted a double-digit growth in tax collection, beating the record of Abby’s father and her brother Junjun. Abby’s father, former vice mayor Jejomar Binay served as Makati City mayor from 1988 to 1998 and then from 2001 to 2010. 

Aside from record high tax collections, Makati City also earned the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit which issued “an unqualified opinion” on the fairness of presentation of the financial statements” for the year 2017.

In industry parlance, an unqualified opinion means that financial statements conform to Generally Accepted Accounting (GAA) Principles.

To put it simply, it is the best opinion an auditor can issue. It’s the first time that Makati has earned the highest audit rating from COA.

Makati residents are also enjoying a more digitized system with a lot of services now online.

The incumbent mayora also seems to be enjoying the support of the country’s top tycoons, judging from the huge crowd that gathered last June at the Vin d’ Honneur to celebrate the city’s 348th founding anniversary. 

These gains seem to be a welcome change from all the scandals synonymous with the Binay name in the past, one businessman told me on the sidelines of a business conference last week.

Former mayor Junjun is still facing corruption charges over the allegedly overpriced parking building of the Makati City Hall.

The Sandiganbayan last April 18 affirmed probable cause in the graft and falsification charges against him and other former Makati officials. 

Won’t this be a Damocles sword hanging over his head assuming he wins? Whoever wins as vice mayor may end up the real victor in next year’s elections.

It’s the price both Abby and Junjun will have to pay for their nasty fight. Philippine politics really is as dirty as it can get. It divides families and makes real enemies out of siblings. My brothers and I should be proud — our petty fights — over Tonka and Tamiya, driving duties, and tomato ketchup — pale in comparison.

Iris Gonzales’ e-mail address is [email protected]