Cory arrives at Makati City Hall

Former President Corazon Aquino, a rallying figure in two People Power revolts, arrived Tuesday morning in Makati City Hall as a show of support for suspended mayor Jejomar Binay, a dzBB radio report said. The radio report said Aquino had informed Binay that she was appalled by the Arroyo government's move to enforce a suspension order against Binay, Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado and all 16 city councilors. Arriving almost at the same time was Aquino's eldest daughter, Maria Elena "Ballsy" Cruz, and the former president's brother-in-law, Makati Rep. Agapito "Butz" Aquino. Binay showed Aquino a copy of the suspension order upon her arrival shortly before 11 a.m. Aquino then posed for pictures with Binay before press photographers. "We have gone through a lot. During the coup attempts against my administration, Jojo Binay was one of the mayors who were closely watching over developments in Malacañang to help me and to give me support. I will always remember him for helping me during those times," Aquino said in Filipino. She said, "From what I heard from Jojo, he has long been asking for a list of the so-called ghost employees, but the government has not furnished him a copy." "How can you be charged with [keeping] ghost employees [in the city's payroll] if you don't even know who they are?" Aquino asked. Binay, president of the United Opposition (UNO), continues to share close ties with Aquino. He was a staunch supporter of the former president in her electoral campaign against the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. Shortly after the first EDSA revolt, Aquino appointed Binay as mayor of the municipality of Makati. Binay and his wife Elenita have continued to maintain political influence in Makati ever since. As this developed, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito was also at Makati City Hall in support of Binay. He denounced the supposed "Martial Law" tactics employed by the administration against the opposition. The San Juan mayor expressed fears that he may be the next target after Binay and another suspended opposition mayor, Wenceslao "Peewee" Trinidad of Pasay City. Ejercito is the son of former President Joseph Estrada, whom Aquino helped oust during the second EDSA revolution in 2001. Aquino has actively called for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after joining the "Hyatt 10" Cabinet secretaries in denouncing the latter's administration in July 2005.-GMANews.TV