Binay defends family members holding elective posts

Vice presidential bet Jejomar Binay on Friday said he sees nothing wrong if other members of his family are currently holding elective posts in Makati City. Taking the hot seat on radio dzBB's Ikaw Na Ba? The Vice Presidential Interview, Binay told anchor Mike Enriquez that so long as one is qualified, it is okay to seek an elective post provided one does not cheat in the elections. "Gusto hong manilbihan ng isang kamag-anak. May qualificantion ho naman ito. Bakit ho naman natin pagbabawalang magkandidato iyan? Ang importante po ay ito ay nagpiprisinta, lumalaban po iyan sa isang malinis at marangal na halalan," Binay said. (A family member wants to serve, and is qualified to do so. Why would we prevent him or her from running? The important thing is that they will be running in a clean and decent manner during elections.)

Two of Binay’s five children are seeking elective posts this May. His daughter, lawyer Mar-Len Abigail, is seeking re-election as second district representative of Makati City. Binay’s namesake and current Makati City councilor Jejomar Erwin Jr., is gunning for the mayoralty post his father is about to vacate. In 1998 to 2001, Binay’s wife Elenita also served as mayor of Makati. Binay is on his last term as Makati's chief local executive, post he has held since winning the 2001 polls against then Vice Mayor Edu Manzano. Manzano is also seeking the vice presidency this year under the banner of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party. Binay first got elected as Makati mayor in 1988. He won another term during the 1992 elections, and won his reelection bids in 1995 and 1998. When his wife was mayor, Binay was then the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) until President Joseph Estrada's ouster in 2001. All 'qualified' Stressing the qualifications of his children, Binay said: "Anak ko si Atty. Abigail. Masasabi ng mga taga-distrito niya, tinitiyak ko sa darating na halalan, siguradong siguradong mananalo, kasi andaming nagawa. Ang daming nagsasabing ngayon lang sila nakakita ng kinakatawan sa kongreso na ang serbisyo sa kanyang constituents ay todo-todo." (Atty. Abigail will surely win in the elections because she accomplished so much in her district. Her constituents are even saying that they have never seen anyone who has serves as much as she does.) "Hindi naman porke’t anak, hindi naman porke’t asawa, ay siguradong mananalo. Andaming natatalo riyan, sa Maynila at sa kung saan-saang lugar. Iyong anak natatalo, iyong asawa natatalo. So there is no guarantee about that. What is necessary is we elect people who are willing to serve and are qualified to do service." (Being the child or spouse [of someone powerful] does not guarantee victory in the elections. There are numerous cases in Metro Manila and other areas where family members still lose.) Political dynasty Binay also said he will not support legislation against political dynasties in the country. "Bakit gagamitan ng batas iyong tama naman hong mangyari? Pero bakit po natin pagbabawalan ang isang gustong maglingkod sa ating bayan? May kakayahan po naman, at kayo naman ang megdedesisyon niyan. Ang masama ho niyan ay tinatakot kayo, binabayaran ang boto niyo, talagang hindi ho tama iyan," he said. (Why would you use the law against something that is right anyway? Why would we prevent people from rendering service if they are fit to do so? Besides, the decision still rests in you. What is bad is when you are coerced to vote.) Under Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, it is stated that "the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." Until now, however, Congress has yet to craft an enabling law prohibiting political dynasties in the country. — RSJ, GMANews.TV