Binay son faces ouster as majority leader of Makati council

MANILA, Philippines - Makati City Councilor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun”Binay Jr. is leaving his fate to the members of the city council in connection with a threat to unseat him as the majority floor leader.

Binay, who is running for mayor, appealed to his political rivals, led by Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, “to remember that we were voted for the welfare of the people. Let us set aside politics for the benefit of the residents of Makati City.”

The threat to unseat Binay as majority floor leader cropped up after Mercado, who bolted from Binay’s group in November last year, convinced nine members of the 18-strong council to join his group and change the political landscape of the city.

During the first session of the city council held last Jan. 5, one of Mercado’s allies, Councilor Salvador Pangilinan, submitted a resolution calling for a change in the leadership on the floor.

Councilor Elias Tolentino, the erstwhile minority floor leader, should also be replaced from his position as he already joined Mercado’s group, now considered the majority bloc in the city council.

The city council did not tackle the resolution last Jan. 5 for lack of quorum. The council is expected to tackle the matter during its session today.   – Jose Rodel Clapano