Race for the mayoralty post: Bagong Makati or Serbisyong Binay?

For the first time in almost three decades, the Makati City Hall is governed by someone who does not carry the Binay family name. Incumbent mayor, Romulo “Kid” Peña, Jr., premises his 2016 campaign on just that, the promise of a “Bagong Makati,” one wherein the influential family will no longer wield political power in the city.

Peña calls it his “destiny” to be the mayor of Makati, having taken over the city’s leadership from dismissed Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay, Jr., the son of Vice President and longtime city mayor Jejomar Binay, in June 2015.

The younger Binay was ordered suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman over his supposed involvement in the construction of an alleged overpriced Makati building.

“Nang magsimula po tayong mamuno sa Makati noong Hulyo ng nakaraang taon, tinahak na po natin ang tuwid na daan, at pinatunayang hindi monopolya ng iisang angkan ang pagseserbisyo sa lungsod,” Peña said in a recent campaign rally with President Benigno Aquino III.

Peña, however, is still facing tough opposition in another Binay; this time, against incumbent Makati congresswoman Abigail Binay. Abi, a lawyer, filed her candidacy after her brother, Junjun, was perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

In her proclamation rally last month, an emotional Abi Binay faced Makati residents, reminding them of what her father has done for the city since he was appointed as officer-in-charge (OIC) mayor in 1986.

She said Makati, known as a business hub, wouldn’t be where it is now if not for her father.

“Si Mayor Jojo Binay ang ama na nagdala sa Makati mula sa kahirapan tungo sa kaunlaran. Siya ang unang kumalinga sa mga senior citizen, nangarap at nagsakatuparan ng serbisyong medikal, hindi dapat para sa mayaman kung hindi para sa lahat,” the congresswoman-turned-mayoralty bet said.

She calls her run as “the fight of Makati” to bring back the so-called “Serbisyong Binay” or their family’s brand of governance in the city hall, saying Peña’s promise of a new Makati has so far failed to deliver.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi isang Bagong Makati ang ating nakikita, kung hindi isang bigong Makati na biktima ng bulok na pamumulitika,” she said.

Under Peña’s one-year leadership, Abi claims residents of Makati were neglected, citing the supposed lack of medicines at the Ospital ng Makati, the worsening traffic and garbage problem, and the return of fixers at the city hall.

She says that while her opponent have only promises to offer, she already brings with her the brand of a Binay leadership. Aside from her father and brother, Abi’s mother, Dra. Elenita Binay, had also served as the mayor of Makati.

Abi said she plans to improve on the medical services provided to the residents of Makati, especially senior citizens, expand the coverage of scholarships, and provide employment opportunities in all barangays of the city.

Peña’s 10-point agenda

Part of Peña's 10-point agenda is to spend the city’s resources only for its residents and investors.

This means Makati will most likely no longer enter into sister-city pacts with local government units (LGUs), a common practice during the Binay administration allowing the Vice President to gain political allies across the country. Vice President Binay is running for president under the opposition banner United Nationalist Alliance.

“Makati First,” Peña pledged in addressing businessmen two weeks ago. “I am sure you will all agree that the wealth of Makati, or any city or locality for that matter, is intended and should be dedicated to providing for the needs of its legitimate residents and, of course, you, its faithful investors.”

His agenda also covers a “genuine” housing program, enhancement of benefits for the elderly, scholarships for the youth, improved nutrition program, making communities disaster-resilient, and creating employment opportunities through partnerships with private companies.

Such promises, he claims, will be delivered as quick as lightning or “KIDlat,” a play on his nickname.

But what Peña wants to emphasize is “responsive governance, transparency and accountability.”

“I am willing to listen. I assure residents, as well as stakeholders like you, that your opinion counts in how the city government will be run,” he said.

Whether the former vice mayor-turned-mayor will be able to deliver his promises also depend on the city councilors who Makati voters will elect in the coming electionws, considering that Peña had had difficulty dealing with incumbents allied with the dismissed mayor.

In fact, all the councilors stood behind Mayor Junjun when he decided to leave the city hall on July 1, 2015 and abide by the Ombudsman’s suspension order. They also snubbed Peña’s first flag ceremony as then acting city mayor.

The camp of Peña had also criticized the council for supposedly delaying the approval of the city’s budget to “paralyze the efforts of Peña to improve services for residents.”

‘Prospects look promising’

Peña, however, has the ruling Liberal Party and no less than President Aquino backing his candidacy. “Sa cake na lang po, umasenso na kayo kay Kid Peña, marami pa yatang ibang larangan pwedeng umasenso,” Aquino said.

The birthday cakes being given to senior citizens of Makati had been bid out to a new supplier when Peña took over the city because of allegations that the cakes were being bought an overpriced rate during the Binay administration.

Just last month, Peña reported that the city government achieved 61 percent of its target revenue for the year, collecting a total of P7.9 billion in revenue in the first three months of 2016.

“The prospects looks promising,” he said, citing the improved investor confidence owing to the transparency and good governance of the so-called Bagong Makati.

Peña said the myth of Makati being owned by one family no longer holds true. “Nabura na ang mito o alamat, na ang Lungsod ng Makati ay isang kaharian, kung saan iisang pamilya at alipores nito ang naghaharing uri.”

Peña is running with Karla Mercado, the daughter of former vice mayor Ernesto Mercado, who was once a close ally of Vice President Binay. Mercado and the Binays turned foes after the former accused the Vice President of corruption during his term as city mayor.

The elder Mercado thinks Peña has a good fighting chance against Abi Binay, who is running with first district congresswoman Monique Lagdameo.

Makati has 397,587 registered voters for the 2016 national and local elections according to the Commission on Elections. —ALG, GMA News