Junjun Binay vies for Makati mayor seat, challenges sister Abby

MANILA, Philippines — Former Makati City Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. on Tuesday formalized his bid to challenge his sister, Abigail, on the leadership of Makati.

News5 reported that Junjun has filed his certificate of candidacy on Tuesday, with his running mate Monsour del Rosario and others who will run as councilors under their tandem.

#BilangPilipino2019 | Kasama ni dating mayor Junjun Binay na naghain ng kandidatura ang running mate na si Monsour del Rosario at mga kandidato para sa councilor. | via @dqdevera pic.twitter.com/3uAyVkfi5P

— News5 AKSYON (@News5AKSYON) October 16, 2018

Junjun was accompanied by his sister, Sen. Nancy Binay, who is also seeking a new term in the Senate.

Incumbent Makati Mayor Abby appealed on Monday that his brother should give her a chance.

She told ANC’s “Headstart” that she has been with Junjun through hard and happy times. “I was standing up for him. I’m the elder sister. I wish he would give me a chance,” she added.

The Binay patriarch, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, was expected to intervene in the public tug-of-war between Junjun and Abby. He instead distanced himself and said that he will not choose between the two on who should run for mayoral seat in Makati City, their clan’s bailiwick.

“The people of Makati will decide on that,” the former vice president said in a statement on Monday.

Junjun served as Makati mayor from 2010 until 2015, when he was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

The ombudsman found the then-Makati mayor guilty of grave misconduct and serious dishonesty over his involvement in the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City Science High School building.

The Court of Appeals, in May this year, reversed the ombudsman’s dismissal.

Meanwhile, the family patriarch is gunning for a seat at the House of Representatives for the First District of Makati City. 

The eldest daughter, Nancy, was accompanied by Junjun when she filed her COC for a Senate seat last Friday. — Kristine Joy Patag