Video by Anthony Esguerra
MANILA, Philippines – “Ang laban ng Makati ay laban ng buong Pilipinas (The fight in Makati is a fight for the country).”
With that battlecry, supporters of suspended Makati City Mayor Erwin “Junjun” Binay massed up at the city hall to show support to their beleaguered local executive.
The Ombudsman has placed Mayor Binay and other city officials under preventive suspension over the allegedly overpriced Makati Parking Building II.
Barangay (village) South Cembo chairperson Richie Rodriguez went on stage to lead the chanting of their battlecry.
Chairpersons of other villages also arrived at the city hall compound to show their support for the mayor.
They said the call for support for the Binays was organized through text messages and alerts on chat app Viber.
A convoy of several cars arrived at the city hall, but the barangay leaders were not sure if it was Vice President Jejomar Binay’s party.
As of late afternoon, barangay chairpersons left the stage and walked to the city hall to meet with the Binays.