Family feud bigger challenge than reelection — Abby Binay
MANILA, Philippines — Makati Mayor Abigail “Abby” Binay on Friday said her feud with her brother, former Makati City Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr., is a bigger challenge than her reelection bid in the country’s financial hub.
READ: Abby Binay on reelection campaign: ‘Chill chill lang tayo’
“It is very unfortunate na magkalaban kami. It’s something that’s very unavoidable (pero) pinili niyang labanan ako. So lagi ko sinasabi matatapos ang eleksyon may mananalo may matatalo pero hindi pa rin kami mag-aayos ng pamilya ko,” Abby told reporters in an interview during her team’s proclamation rally at Lawton Avenue, Makati City.
(It is very unfortunate that we are competing with each other. It’s something that’s very unavoidable, but he chose to fight with me. So I always say that this election will end, somebody will win or lose, but we still cannot fix this within our family.)
“So hindi natatapos ang problema ko sa araw ng eleksyon so ‘yun ang mas mahirap para sa akin (My problem will not end with the election. That’s what is hard for me),” she added.
The second-eldest daughter of former Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay is running against her younger brother Jejomar for Makati’s mayoralty post.
Meanwhile, the Binay patriarch is gunning for Makati’s 1st district congressional post under Abby’s team. But Abby said this does not mean that her father is favoring her over her brother.
“Ang tatay ko ang ginagamit sa pagpili ng kandidato niya ay puso at utak so hindi pwede puro puso o puro utak. ‘Di ko sya tinitignan na kinakampihan niya ako pero tinitignan ko na kinailangan niya pumili ayaw man niya,” she explained.
(My father uses his heart and his head in choosing candidates. I don’t think he is siding with me, but I think he needs to choose, whether he likes it or not.)
End of rivalry possible
The former Vice President said he believes that the rivalry between his children could still be resolved, stressing that he respects the decision of the two to run against each other.
“Dadagdagan ko pa ang aking pagdadasal, matatapos din ‘yan (I will pray harder. This, too, will end),” he said in an ambush interview. “Nirerespeto ko ‘yung desisyon nila (I respect their decision).”
Divided support
Abby said it is “understandable” that the vote of their family’s supporters would be divided between her and Junjun.
“Understandable ang tao na mahihirapan sila pumili. Kaya nga lagi ko sinasabi kalimutan muna natin ang apelyido… ang tignan po natin ano ‘yung nagawa niya, ano ‘yung nagawa ko,” she said.
(It is understandable that our supporters will have to make a hard choice. So what I am saying is let us forget the family name. Let us look at this based on what he has accomplished and what I can do.)
The elder Binay will be accompanying “Team Performance” throughout the 45-day campaign period, according to Abby.
But he said he is willing to attend his only son’s proclamation rally scheduled Saturday, 4:00 p.m. if he would invite him. However, the family patriarch has yet to receive an invitation to the event. /ee
READ: ‘Binay vs Binay’ feud highlights narrow choice
