MANILA, Philippines – On the last day of the campaign, Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday returned to the city where his political career began three decades ago.
Binay, his runningmate Sen. Gregorio Honasan II and the rest of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) slate last night held their miting de avance in Makati City where the Vice President served as mayor for 21 years.
UNA senatorial bets as well as local candidates led by mayoralty bet Rep. Abigail Binay joined the Vice President as he capped off the 90-day campaign period for national posts.
Except when he joined his daughter during the proclamation rally on March 28, the opposition presidential bet steered away from campaigning in his bailiwick, which is currently headed by the ruling Liberal Party (LP).
Binay’s son, former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman over graft allegations in connection with construction of the P2.2-billion Makati City Hall parking building.
Abigail, who is on her third term as congresswoman, will try to wrest back the city hall from LP bet acting mayor Kid Peña.
The Vice President, whose campaign platform is primarily focused on alleviating poverty, runs on the promise to replicate what he did in Makati in the rest of the country.
According to UNA, Binay chose to hold his miting de avance in Makati where he was able to successfully implement pro-poor programs and improve the lives of his constituents.
“Binay built his platform of governance upon the achievements of Makati under his leadership and has vowed to replicate what he has done for the city for the entire nation once he becomes president,” said the opposition party.
“As president, Binay vows to push for the availability of basic services, benefits and pro-poor programs, just as he has done as mayor of Makati and as Vice President of the Philippines. He stands for a government that promises to be competent, caring, healing and unifying,” it added.