Two mayors in Makati: Binay on 21st floor, Peña on hallway of old building

MANILA, Philippines – While Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay remains at the mayor’s office on the 21st floor of the Makati City Hall, Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña discharges his duties as acting mayor at a makeshift office along the hallway of the old city hall building.

“Hindi naman opisina ang pinag-uusapan kapag magsisilbi sa tao,” Noel Neo, staff of the vice mayor said.

He said Peña is just following the mandate of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) after it served Binay’s suspension order by the Ombudsman.

Far from the huge crowd that camped at the city hall grounds right after Binay was suspended, few supporters on Thursday lingered inside the city hall to show their support for the embattled mayor.

The city hall grounds were parked with vehicles, indicating normal operations have resumed.

Neo said Peña visited residents of the city to get a feel of their concerns.