Abby Binay on surname: Both blessing and curse
MAKATI Representative Abby Binay on Monday downplayed the family affair that became of her proclamation rally for her mayoral bid in Makati.
In an interview with reporters after her proclamation rally on Chino Roces Avenue, Makati, Rep. Binay admitted that her family name is both a blessing and a curse.
When asked about political dynasties, Binay said the voting public should be left to decide whether or not to vote for a member of a political clan.
“Lagi ko namang sinasagot ang issue ng political dynasty. Ang taumbayan ang magdedesisyun kung gusto ba nilang iboto o hindi. Kaya sinasabi ko ang apelidong Binay, it’s both a blessing and a curse. Blessing yan kasi alam nilang mayroon na kaming naigawa, pero maraming may ayaw sa mga Binay,” she said.
Rep. Binay said it’s about time voters look beyond the family name and instead focus on the credentials of the candidate.
“Let’s look beyond the last name. Tingnan natin yung taong tumatakbo, hindi yung apelido niya, kung nakapagsilbi na siya, kung nakapagpatunay na siya, dun natin tingnan. Kaya at the end of the day, ang mga tao ang boboto dun sa dapat. You get the leaders you deserve because you vote for them,” Binay said.
“‘Yung dynasty na yan, matagal nang issue yan. It’s high time we put it aside,” she added.
In her speech at the proclamation rally, Rep. Binay appealed to the crowd to help her bring back the Binays to the city hall, after her brother Junjun Binay was dismissed as Makati mayor by the Ombudsman after finding him guilty of dishonesty and misconduct over his role in 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.
Abby was accompanied on the stage by her husband Luis Campos, who is seeking the Makati congressional seat to be vacated by his wife.
The Binays have long dominated Makati since the vice president was appointed by former President Cory Aquino as officer-in-charge 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 Makati congresswoman, while her sister Nancy is incumbent senator.
