Binay thrashes Lito Lapid in Makati, awaits proclamation

Opposition figurehead Jejormar Binay won the mayoral race in Makati City, after maintaining a wide lead over administration candidate Lito Lapid, radio dzBB reported on Wednesday. The same report aired at about 11:30 p.m., said the announcement of Binay's electoral victory came from lawyer Sieda Roxas, chairman of the board of canvassers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). As of 9:30 p.m., GMA News' Saksi said Binay got 66,569 votes, while Lapid had 6,904 votes. Binay's votes are at least nine times bigger than that of the incumbent senator's. Lapid will remain holding a seat in the Senate after losing to the reelectionist mayor. Binay started to lead Makati in 1986 as officer-in-charge under then President Corazon Aquino’s transitional government. He ruled the city for three more terms until his wife Elenita took over his post. Binay went back to his post in 2001. Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman slapped Binay with a suspension order. In October last year, the Department of Local and Interior Government and the police also tried to serve a suspension order on Binay. Also last week, the Bureau of Internal Revenue froze the assets of the city hall, including Binay's several bank accounts, over the city government's supposed failure to pay taxes. The opposition branded the move as harassment. Meanwhile, the same dzBB report said incumbent vice mayor Nestor Mercado was reelected to his seat. As of 9:30 p.m., Saksi said Mercado got 53,721 votes, while his rival Nemesio "King" Yabut got 18,625 votes. Meanwhile, dzBB reported that congressional winners are Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin for district 1 and Abigail "Abby" Binay for district 2. Abigail is Mayor Binay's daughter. The winning candidates will soon be proclaimed by the Comelec. - GMANews.TV