‘Binaysty’

FROM BEING a humble but ferocious human rights lawyer during the height of martial law, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay rose from the political ranks and is now at an enviable position—for other politicians anyway. Not only is he a breath away from the highest political post in the country; he also put his children in important political posts—and in the process serving as a prime example why the anti-political dynasty bill should now really be passed.

Makati—the country’s premiere city as well its financial capital—had not seen a mayor not surnamed Binay since 1986. The city may have progressed during the Binays’ combined almost 30-year term but this was a given. Makati would become progressive whoever was on the helm. In 2010, however, the Binay clan set their eyes on political posts outside Makati. And with the Binay patriarch winning in a come-from-behind fashion to win the vice presidency, he wasted no time in declaring his intention to seek the country’s highest post in 2016. And to help him achieve this, he positioned his son to replace him as Makati mayor, placed two of her daughters in Congress—one in the House and the other in the Senate. With a cabinet post given to him, the Binays seems to have all bases covered for the presidential run in 2016.

His early declaration however “inspired” his political opponents to attempt to cut him down to size as the countdown to 2016 crept in. Allegations of corruption were suddenly flying from everywhere. Overpriced supplies, no bidding for Makati City projects and dummies suddenly filled the airwaves. In no time, Mr. Binay’s once formidable lead in the survey plummeted.

Despite of this however, Binay’s camp insist this is simply political harassment. His mouthpieces event went on a limb to counterattack fingering Mr. Binay’s “archrival” DILG Sec. Mar Roxas as the one behind the supposed smear campaign.

The Binays in various elective positions have also became suddenly active that a Binay elected to the Senate now has a lot of airtime—not due to her legislative achievement or the lack thereof—but to defend her father as well as those being tagged as dummies. Senator Nancy Binay even blurted that those supposed dummies are their family friends and that they are legitimate business people. What she forgot to remember was friendship—or whatever the Binays may want to call it—is not the primary requirement to win public project bids. Rather, as elective officials, they should have dissuaded their “friends” from entering the bidding process as this may be seen as “favoritism” especially if they win.

As it turned out, Ms. Binay foot got stuck in her mouth. And she should have been better off if she continued on her Senate path of silence. But of course, she was where she is so she could defend their political clan.

Vice President Binay was among those who fought hard for freedom during the country’s dark years. He was also the staunchest defender of the late President Cory Aquino, especially during the numerous coup attempts of the late 1980s. But as it is, politics, in the end, eventually changes the person.

And what was an upright, responsible and sincere person has gradually morphed into the people he fought so hard against. A politician whose sole interest is more power and higher position for himself and his family and the wherewithal for all of them to remain there.