Mayor Binay mulls suing netizens for threats over non-suspension of classes

The local government of Makati City has been known to be conservative when it comes to class suspension during the rainy season — as a proof, Makati was one of the last cities in Metro Manila to dismiss classes on Wednesday.

Obviously, Makati Mayor Abby Binay and other city officials have drawn flak from netizens.  The criticisms hurled against the local executives differ though: some vented their frustration through posts and comments on Twitter and Facebook while some turned it into a comic situation.

https://twitter.com/oquendo_mille/status/1019178086129025024

funny kasi wala masyadong tweets abt suspension and binay lol sanay na mga makatizens

— aj (@ineffablevk) July 9, 2018

Retweet this lucky picture of Mayora Abby Binay for suspension to all levels in makati. #WalangPasok pic.twitter.com/919PB1S7Ev

— Jewi (@JerrLuffy) July 16, 2018

However, some have reportedly gone overboard with their comments, prompting the mayor to consider taking legal action against some people.

Binay claimed that netizens — most of whom are young people — have threatened violence, with some referencing the fate of slain Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili if she does not suspend classes.

“It has come to a point na nananakot na.  ‘Yong pasasabugin daw ‘yong bahay ko dahil ‘di ako nagsuspend ng ano (classes), gusto ko ba daw na ma-snipe sa flag ceremony,” Binay said in an interview with DZMM’s Dos Por Dos on Wednesday.

(It has come to a point when the are threats already. They threatened to blow up my house because I did not suspend classes. Some have asked if I want to be shot by a sniper in a flag ceremony.)

“Kung sasabihin nilang joke ‘yan, ‘di ko ho ‘yan mamaliitin dahil alam naman po natin na mayroon pong mga opisyal ngayon na namamatay, binabaril.  If you do that in America, you think ‘yong FBI ‘di kayo kakatukin sa bahay niyo? she added.

(I am not going to consider that as a small joke because there were government officials who got killed. If you do that in America, don’t you think the FBI won’t knock on your door?)

She said that she will consult the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the matter.

“Yes, ire-reklamo ko na ho sila (I will file a case).  I will have to ask the assistance of the NBI to help me,” Binay said.

“I cannot take it lightly kasi iba ‘yong minumura niyo ako, iba ‘yong sinasabi niyo na bobo ako, pero kung pinagbabantaan niyo na ako, eh hindi na ho ‘yon nakakatuwa,” she explained.

(I cannot take it lightly because it’s different when people curse me or say that I’m a dimwit, but if you are going to threaten me, that’s not funny.)

On the other hand, Binay explained why Makati has been consistently tardy in suspending classes. She said the government does not decide based on the moves of other local government units.

“We declare (class suspensions) as early as 11 p.m., ‘yong iba 6 p.m. pa lang nagde-declare na.  Inaantay po kasi namin ‘yong Pagasa forecast ng 11 p.m, inaantay po namin, tinitignan kung kailangan na magdeclare,” Binay said.

(We declare class suspensions at 11 p.m. Other local government units suspend classes at 6 p.m. We wait for the forecast from Pagasa because we need to check whether there is a need to suspend classes.)

The local executive also said that the city has its own weather instruments to have a better glimpse of the weather situation for the upcoming days.  This, according to Binay, helps the city make informed decisions on class suspensions.

“Actually meron po kaming kinukuhang data from Pagasa, meron din pong pitong weather stations dito po sa Makati (We get data from Pagasa, but we also have seven weather stations here in Makati),” she said.

“Tignan niyo sa Makati din umuulan pero sa Quezon City baha na.  Wala kasing baha dito.  Hindi mo pwedeng sabihin na ‘pag baha sa Manila, baha sa Makati; ‘pag umuulan sa Makati, umuulan sa Manila.  Very localized (ang weather),” she added.

(That is why sometimes it’s not even raining in Makati, but Quezon City is already flooded. You can’t say that if there is a flood in Manila, there will also be a flood in Makati or if it rains in Makati, it is also rain in Manila. The weather is very localized.)

But contrary to Binay’ statements, netizens have called the Makati government’s attention on its official Facebook page due to knee-deep floods in various residential areas, and even on streets leading up to the central business district. /ee