Junjun Binay files candidacy for Makati Mayor
MANILA, Philippines — Former Makati City mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. yesterday formally declared his intent to reclaim his post from his sister, incumbent Mayor Mar-Len Abigail “Abby” Binay.
Junjun, together with his runningmate District 1 Rep. Monsour del Rosario and 16 candidates for councilor, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) with the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office.
His other sister, United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) president Sen. Nancy Binay, and his lawyer Sixto Brillantes Jr., a former Comelec chairman, joined him when he submitted his COC.
Among those running under Junjun’s slate are re-electionist Councilors Ma. Arlene Ortega, Rico Puno, Evelyn Delfina Villamor, Leonardo Magpantay, Shirley Aspillaga and Grazielle Iony De Lara-Bes – all former allies of Abby.
Two of the incumbent councilors’ spouses would also run under Junjun’s group: Ferdinand Eusebio’s wife Rochelle and Divina Jacome’s husband Henry.
All of Junjun’s group – except Del Rosario, who would run under the administration party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan – are running under the local party Una ang Makati.
Addressing around 15,000 supporters who welcomed him at the local Comelec office, Junjun said, “hindi ito tungkol sa ano ang gusto ko, o ano ang gusto ng Ate ko o ano ang gusto ng pamilya ko (This is not about that I want, or what my older sister wants, or what my family wants). My father is right, let the people of Makati decide.”
Comeback
In Parañaque, former mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr., who completed three consecutive terms from 2004 to 2013, filed his COC for mayor yesterday.
He was accompanied by his runningmate Jeremy Marquez and candidates for councilor, including actress Rochelle Barrameda.
Bernabe will face re-electionist Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
New generation
San Juan City Vice Mayor Janella Ejercito Estrada filed her COC at the local Comelec office yesterday, accompanied by her relatives, friends and supporters.
Janella – a daughter of former senator Jinggoy Estrada – is expected to face former vice mayor Francis Zamora, who is reportedly set to file his COC today.
Incumbent Mayor Guia Gomez is endorsing Janella.
Sen. JV Ejercito, Gomez’s son by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, is running for re-election.
Jinggoy, the Manila mayor’s son by former senator Loi Ejercito, is also seeking a Senate seat.
Janella’s runningmate is Leonardo Celles, who is seeking the vice mayoral post anew.
Jana Ejercito, a daughter of Estrada’s brother movie director Jessie Ejercito, is running for councilor.
Moving on
Meanwhile, Quezon City Rep. Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. is no longer running for any elective post.
“It’s time to move on. Huwag tayong maging sakim sa (Let us not be greedy for a) position. Let’s pass it on to the younger generation,” he said as he accompanied nominees of party-list group Serbisyo sa Bayan in filing their certificates of nomination and acceptance.
Belmonte said it is time for him to retire after completing 25 years of service as a congressman.
The former speaker said he would support all the candidates of their political party, including the party-list group, composed of barangay officials from Quezon City. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Mayen Jaymalin
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