Tearful Nancy Binay to sister Abby: ‘We’re still family’

Senator Nancy Binay Senator–INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay broke into tears on Monday as she addressed her sister, Abby, following the latter’s recent verbal tussle with another sibling.

“Sa akin simple lang, pag wala na kami sa pwesto – at the end of the day – yung mga nakapaligid sa amin mawawala lahat yan, pero kaming pamilya n’ya will always be there for her,” the senator said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Kahit ginaganyan n’ya kami, kami pa rin yung kadugo n’ya kaya kahit ang daming nabato, we’re still family,” Nancy added, trying to hold back tears.

Asked if she thinks Abby, the incumbent Makati mayor, already forgot that they were family, the senator said: “I think so.”

As a parent, Nancy said she could see and feel the pain of their parents — former Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay — who no longer see their children together.

“They are no longer young. Sana yung remaining years na lang nila, sana magtulugan kaming magkakapatid to make them happy,” Nancy said.

Abby is running against younger brother Junjun for the mayoral post in Makati in the coming elections.

The Binay patriarch Jojo, who is also seeking a seat in the House of Representatives, is backing Abby’s candidacy while Nancy has thrown support behind Junjun’s bid.

Abby and Junjun engaged in a heated debate during an election forum held at the San Ildefonso Parish church in Makati last Saturday.

With just two weeks before the May elections, Nancy called on her siblings to just stick to their platforms and set aside personal issues.

Asked if she still loved her sister Abby, the senator said, “Of course she’s my sister. I will always be her ate. Nagsimula naman to lahat kasi nagiging ate ako sa kanya.” /cbb