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Binay proclaimed mayor, thanks Arroyo for victory


Hours after his proclamation as re-elected Makati City mayor, Jejomar Binay thanked President Arroyo Thursday morning for being his most efficient “campaign manager." Binay said Malacañang’s harassment tactics allowed him and his “Performance Team" candidates to achieve a 20-0 sweep of local posts in the city, a feat it achieved in 2001. “Oo naman. Kaya sinabi ko noon meron kaming campaign manager, si Mrs. Arroyo. Pati si Abigail dinagdag ang pagkilala (Oh yes. That’s why I said Mrs. Arroyo is my biggest campaign manager)," he said in an interview on dzRH radio, when asked if the harassment “helped" him win. He was referring to the suspension order issued earlier this month by the Ombudsman against him, and which the interior department immediately served. But with his re-election and with a pending case lodged by the Office of the Solicitor General, the administrative suspension is virtually null. “Wala nang dahilan ako ma-suspend (There is no more reason to suspend me)," he said. Binay and his fellow “Performance team" members were proclaimed at 6:15 a.m. On the other hand, he extended his hand to his closest rival Sen. Manuel “Lito" Lapid, whom he beat by more than 178,000 votes. “At the end of the day we remain to respect each other," he said in a separate interview on dzXL radio. Binay noted this was the second sweep he and his team achieved since 2001. In 2004, he said his team achieved a 19-1 record. As of early Thursday morning, he garnered more than 200,000 votes compared to Sen. Manuel Lapid’s 22,000-plus votes. Proclaimed along with Binay were councilors Jejomar Erwin “Junjun" Binay, Linda Gonzales, Monique “Nik" Lagdameo, Armand Padilla, Vir Hilario, Luis “Oloy" Javier, Arnold “Idol" Magpantay, and Tosca Puno for District I; and Ernie “Aspi" Aspillaga, Boyet Cruzado, Buddy Pangilinan, Elias “Boy" Tolentino, Angie Gatchalian, Henry Jacome, Tetchie De Lara, and Vincent Sese for District II. Likewise proclaimed were Rep. Teodoro “Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. (First District), and Binay’s daughter Abigail (Second District). “Ito parang repeat ko noong 2001, 20-0 kami. Noong 2004, 19-1, ngayon bumalik sa 20-0. Lamang ko kay lapid mga 178,000," the mayor said. The mayor also likened his daughter Abigail, who won over the son of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Ephraim Genuino for a congressional seat, to a “giant-killer." “Si Genuino abot-abot ang ginastos dito (Genuino spent a fortune in his campaign here)," he said. Binay said that with his reelection, he will concentrate on the city’s finances and in developing residents’ manpower skills. He said he will continue scholar and beautification programs. On the other hand, he said his immediate priority will be to clean up the city of campaign materials. “Bukas halos wala nang matitirang mga poster (By Friday we expect to get rid of the posters)," he said. Meanwhile, Binay urged the Genuine Opposition’s supporters to continue keeping watch over the canvassing, maintaining that the 2007 election is a referendum on the Arroyo government. He said that if there were attempts to cheat in Makati, there will be attempts in other areas nationwide. “Sa Makati, muntik pa kaming madaya. Ang canvassing masyadong delikado yan, bantayan ninyo (If we were almost cheated in Makati, how much more in other areas nationwide? The canvassing is a very delicate stage and our supporters should keep watch over it)," he said. - GMANews.TV
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