Another Binay at Makati City Hall? Nancy says she’s thinking of running for mayor

Senator Nancy Binay during a press briefing on Thursday, May 9, 2024, in Pasay City. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Nancy Binay said on Thursday that she was “seriously contemplating” running in 2025 for Makati City mayor, a post currently held by her sister, Abby Binay.

“It’s 70-30. Seventy percent,” Nancy said when asked about the chances of her joining Makati City’s mayoral race once her term in the Senate ends.

But the senator added that she was still waiting for “signs” before she made her final decision.

“I also asked for signs when I first joined politics. My daughter initially didn’t want me to run. But when I asked her again, she approved of it. That was one of the signs I got, so I decided to run. Now I’m again waiting for three signs before I make my decision,” Nancy said in a press briefing.

“But of course, we’re preparing. At the end of the day, we’re entering a battle. It’s difficult to enter a battle [unprepared],” she added.

Nancy said she had thought about the possibility of squaring off against her brother-in-law, Makati Rep. Luis Campos, Abby’s husband, for the post. Abby, who is on her last term, earlier said that she wanted Campos to succeed her.

According to Nancy, she was open to talking to Campos’ camp, saying she did not want any conflict within their family. Still, she stressed that her priority would be what was best for the city.

Ready for face-off

“At the end of the day, my consideration would be the people of Makati. The one who should take care of them should be able to provide the kind of public service the Binays are known for,” she said.

However, Nancy said she was ready for a face-off with Campos if she would be left with no other option but to run against him.

“That’s still a family feud. I don’t want to lose hope that it would not happen, but it already happened in the past so there’s a chance of it happening again. But what’s okay, if okay is even the appropriate word, is that it won’t be Binay vs Binay because my brother-in-law has a different surname,” she pointed out.

Makati’s highest post has been held by a Binay since 1986, from the patriarch Jejomar Binay, then his wife, Elenita, to their youngest son, Junjun and most recently. Abby. In 2019, a family feud broke out after Junjun decided to run against his sister, who was seeking a second term. Abby, however, emerged victorious.