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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 âcampaign manager." Binay said Malacañangâs harassment tactics allowed him and his âPerformance Team" candidates to achieve a 20-0 sweep of local posts in the city, a feat it achieved in 2001. âOo naman. Kaya sinabi ko noon meron kaming campaign manager, si Mrs. Arroyo. Pati si Abigail dinagdag ang pagkilala (Oh yes. Thatâs why I said Mrs. Arroyo is my biggest campaign manager)," he said in an interview on dzRH radio, when asked if the harassment âhelped" 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. âWala nang dahilan ako ma-suspend (There is no more reason to suspend me)," he said. Binay and his fellow âPerformance team" members were proclaimed at 6:15 a.m. On the other hand, he extended his hand to his closest rival Sen. Manuel âLito" Lapid, whom he beat by more than 178,000 votes. âAt 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 Lapidâs 22,000-plus votes. Proclaimed along with Binay were councilors Jejomar Erwin âJunjun" Binay, Linda Gonzales, Monique âNik" Lagdameo, Armand Padilla, Vir Hilario, Luis âOloy" Javier, Arnold âIdol" Magpantay, and Tosca Puno for District I; and Ernie âAspi" Aspillaga, Boyet Cruzado, Buddy Pangilinan, Elias âBoy" Tolentino, Angie Gatchalian, Henry Jacome, Tetchie De Lara, and Vincent Sese for District II. Likewise proclaimed were Rep. Teodoro âTeddy Boy" Locsin Jr. (First District), and Binayâs daughter Abigail (Second District). âIto 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 âgiant-killer." âSi 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 cityâs finances and in developing residentsâ 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. âBukas halos wala nang matitirang mga poster (By Friday we expect to get rid of the posters)," he said. Meanwhile, Binay urged the Genuine Oppositionâs 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. âSa 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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