They had two recent chances for a showdown, but the main rivals for the mayoralty in Makati City apparently just prefer trading barbs from a distance with just over week to go before the May 9 polls.
Makati Rep. Abigail Binay criticized the incumbent Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña for “backing out” of the debate organized by a civic group on Thursday night.
But Peña shot back by noting that Binay was the no-show in a recent TV program where he and a third mayoral candidate, Jimmy Jumawan, appeared as invited guests to discuss their respective platforms.
Binay on Saturday said Peña made some 150 Rotary Club members wait at an event held at the Makati Sports Club on April 28. “It is just sad that he does not give importance to opportunities like this where we are given the chance to introduce our platforms,” she said in a statement. “For me, it is a big responsibility for us to give all the information needed by the residents to decide who they will vote for.”
But Peña denied that he ignored the Rotarians, saying he had to decline their invitation because of an important commitment “that would benefit the people of Makati.” He also noted that the event was not a debate as described by Binay but a forum where they were invited to present their respective platforms.
“I am saddened that Congresswoman Binay had to resort to such a petty strategy to discredit my administration,” Peña said. He recalled that it was Binay who failed to show up when the GMA show “Bawal ang Pasaway kay Mareng Winnie” devoted an episode to the Makati mayoral race.
And in one instance where he and Binay faced the people together—a forum organized by San Ildefonso Parish in Barangay Pio del Pilar last week—“even Binay’s followers applauded” when he presented his plans for Makati, Peña claimed.
“Transparency and free flow of information are the defining qualities of governance in the Bagong (New) Makati. Thus, I am ready and willing to attend debates or any forum that would inform our constituents and stakeholders about our thrusts, plans and programs to uplift their lives and attract bigger investments,” he added. Maricar B. Brizuela