DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan, Philippines?Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay this week signed sisterhood agreements with three towns and two cities of vote-rich Pangasinan but he said this was not meant to push his bid for the presidency in 2010.

Binay said Makati has been signing sisterhood agreements with various local governments even before he announced his interest to join the presidential race last month.

He said Makati has forged sisterhood ties with at least 130 cities and towns in the country.

In his visit here from Tuesday to Thursday, Binay met local officials and signed sisterhood ties with the cities of Alaminos and San Carlos and the towns of Mangaldan, Manaoag and San Quintin.

Makati earlier signed similar agreements with the towns of Binmaley, Sta. Barbara, San Fabian and Rosales and Urdaneta City.

Binay said these partnerships are mutual agreements between Makati and other local governments.

?We are approached by mayors for our cities and towns to become sisters,? he said.

While Makati is the most developed and prosperous city in the country, Binay said the city could still learn lessons from small cities and towns.

?We do not have a monopoly of good governance. We will also learn from your experiences,? he said.

Yolanda Sotelo, Inquirer Northern Luzon