Abby Binay’s plea to Makati folks: Bring us back to city hall

MAKATI representative Abby Binay sang, danced and then broke down in tears as she pleaded to the crowd during her proclamation rally to bring her family back to the Makati city hall which the Binays have ruled for almost three decades.

Before a crowd that the Binay camp claimed reached 40,000, the daughter of the Vice President did all she could to convey her message of “Balik Makati,” countering the mayoral bid of Romulo “Kid” Peña, the acting mayor who replaced Abby’s brother Junjun who was sacked for graft and corruption.

Abby Binay also scored the alleged failure of her nemesis Peña in giving quality social services in Makati which she said was first started by her father  when the latter started his two-decade rule in 1986.

Abby cited the failure of the Ospital ng Makati to provide quality and efficient hospital services, the stinky roads in Makati due to uncollected garbage, and the scores of sick patients who she alleged were denied hospital services all because they were known to be avid Binay supporters.

Abby broke down in tears thrice during her speech as she reminisced the lessons her father taught her to always to keep in her heart the value of serving Makati.

“Ano man ang sabihin nila, ang Makati at Binay ay iisa. Dahil siya ang sandigan ng serbisyong tunay,” Abby said, her voice breaking.

“Hindi isang bagong Makati ang ating nakikita, kundi isang bigong Makati, na biktima ng isang bulok na pulitika. Ito ba ay bago, o bulok?” Abby added, chiding Peña’s campaign slogan.

Abby said she presented herself before the Makati crowd to express her pride at bearing the Binay family name, as she urged voters to elect her as mayor to signal the return of the Binays in the city hall.

“Ang kailangan natin hindi isang bagong Makati na bulok ang sistema. Kundi ang isang Balik Makati, kung saan pusong Binay ang namumuno,” Abby said.

“Ibalik natin ang Makati kung saan pantay pantay ang lahat at tuloy tuloy ang serbisyo,” she added.

In his speech after his arrival, Junjun lamented the political persecution he suffered after he was perpetually dismissed from public office by the Ombudsman after finding him guilty of dishonesty and misconduct over his role in the construction and design of the allegedly overpriced Makati carpark building.

Junjun also scored Abby’s rival Peña for his failure to provide quality hospital services.

“Ako po ang biktima ng mga kasinungalingan sa aking ama. Lahat ng pag-aalipusta, ako ang tumanggap. Sabi ko sa ama ko, lahat ng pahirap, paninira, tatanggapin ko. Pero alam ko sa laban na ito hindi siya nag-iisa, hindi ako nag-iisa,” Junjun said.

Junjun was indicted with his father by the Ombudsman for graft, malversation and falsification of public documents for allegedly rigging the construction and design of the allegedly overpriced P2.8 billion Makati car park building.

Junjun was formally charged before the Sandiganbayan with graft and falsification. The Ombudsman vowed to charge Vice President Binay when his immunity expires at the end of his term.

On the stage, Abby was accompanied by her husband Luis Campos, who is seeking the Makati congressional seat to be vacated by his wife.

Women cheered and laughed as Abby’s husband, teased by the host onstage as goodlooking, twerked  in a dance off with another Makati congressional bet former actor Monsour Del Rosario, who opted to show his karate moves.

Abby also danced with her running mate Monique Lagdameo.

To conclude her proclamation rally, Abby sang the song “Paano kita mapasasalamatan” with her father, who hugged her after she delivered her speech.

In his speech, Vice President Binay said Abby is his favorite child. Binay and Junjun raised her hands to launch her mayoral quest.

The vice president bragged about the achievements he started in giving free social services in Makati, rousing loud cheers from the audience.

“Isa pong karangalan na ako’y ama ni Atty. Abby. Anak ko po ito! Serbisyong tunay, ipagpapatuloy niya para guminhawa ang buhay ng mga taga Makati,” Vice President Binay said.

Before the proclamation rally ended, a video clip was projected on the background listing the achievements of  Vice President Binay.

The clip carried the message: “Panahon na para ibalik ang serbisyong tunay, ang serbisyong Binay.”

Various personalities also performed onstage, most prominent was Gloc 9 (real name Aristotle Pollisco), who opted to sing his non-political songs.

Netizens expressed dismay at Gloc 9’s performance for the Binay clan. He is known for singing the hit “Upuan,” which denounced political dynasties.

Another performer during the rally was actor, dancer and host Jhong Hilario, who is running as a Makati district councilor under the Binay team.

Drawing cheers from the crowd, Hilario did a break dance while Gloc 9 rapped on stage.

Before the Binays started arriving, a group of scantily-clad senior citizens danced a racy number onstage raising and spreading their legs which were covered in lace leggings.

The Binays have long dominated Makati since the vice president was appointed by former President Cory Aquino as officer-in-charge of Makati in 1986.

Vice President Binay served as Makati mayor from 1986 to 1998 and 2001 to 2010 until he was elected vice president. His wife Elenita served from 1998 to 2001 although her term was haunted with graft raps over allegedly overpriced hospital equipment and city hall furnishings. His son Junjun was elected in 2010 until he was sacked by the Ombudsman over the graft-ridden Makati car park project.

Abby is the outgoing Makati representative as she will reach her third and last term in June, while her sister Nancy is an incumbent senator.