Will Makati City see another slugfest between two Binay siblings?

The tentative list of candidates for Makati mayor in the 2022 elections made public by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), shows the reelection bid of incumbent mayor Abby Binay is being challenged by her younger sister, Anne Binay.

Abby is seeking her third and final term under the Makatizens United Party, while Anne is running as an independent. This is Anne’s first foray into politics, though she used to be the executive assistant of their father Jejomar “Jojo” Binay when he was still vice president.

Abby and Anne are up against three other lesser known mayoral bets: John Paul Cruz of Reform PH-People’s Party and independent aspirants Rosalinda de Asis and Joel Hernandez. 

Their eldest sister and Senator Nancy Binay, however, told Rappler on Monday, November 22, that Anne would soon withdraw her certificate of candidacy (COC). 

“The lawyers of my sister are processing her withdrawal at the Comelec, which puts to rest rumors of a Binay vs. Binay face-off scenario,” said Nancy. 

A Rappler source said Anne supposedly filed her COC in case Abby would not push through with her bid for a third term in Makati – the Binays’ stronghold and where family patriarch Jojo was a longtime mayor. 

“That’s between the family already. There were speculations that Abby may not run, so it was done just in case,” said the source.

Abby is unfazed by the possibility of facing off with her sister in 2022. Should Anne decide to push through with her mayoral run, it would be the second time Abby would be campaigning against a sibling.

In 2019, Abby’s first reelection bid was challenged by her younger brother, former mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. Anne supported Junjun and even called Abby a “brat” in one sortie. 

Abby defeated Junjun with a convincing lead of some 80,000 votes.

“I am not concerned about who I will run against. I am more concerned about who I am running for. This election is about the Makatizens,” Abby said in a statement sent to Rappler.

“The coming years will not be easy. We face the tremendous task of rebuilding not only our city but the lives of thousands who have been affected by the pandemic. I am ready to face this challenge. I cannot speak for the other candidates. Meron ba (Are there others)?” added Abby. 

The rivalry between Abby and Junjun in 2019 tore the Binay family apart. Patriarch Jojo was the only member of the family who supported Abby’s reelection bid in the midterm polls. The rest of the clan backed the candidacy of Junjun. 

Despite the conflict among the siblings, another Rappler source said, Jojo has so far been impressed with the performance of Abby, who has been making changes the patriarch himself was not able to think of. 

If Anne decides to run against Abby in 2022, it could potentially hurt the senatorial bid of their father, who is performing well in the latest pre-election surveys as he is within the so-called Magic 12.

The messy fight between Abby and Junjun in 2019 is believed to have contributed to Jojo’s surprising defeat when he ran for Makati 1st District’s congressional seat that year. – Rappler.com