Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Binays are not letting go of Makati just yet.
On Thursday morning (October 15), Makati 2nd District Rep. Abigail “Abby” Binay filed her certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor with the city’s 1st District Rep. Monique Lagdameo as her running mate.
Suspended Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. was supposed to run for re-election, but the Ombudsman ordered his “perpetual disqualification from holding public office” in connection with the alleged anomalies in the Makati City Hall Building II.
Also read: Binay camp mulls filing complaint against DILG, PNP
Abby was accompanied by the vice president; her mother, former Makati Mayor Elenita Binay; and her siblings when she filed her COC. Hundreds of their supporters were also present.
Abby, who called herself a last-minute candidate, explained it was only last night that the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and the Binay family decided that she would replace her brother.
Junjun said that the harassment being done against him by the administration was among their considerations in making the decision to field Abby instead of him.
Abby admitted that she was not prepared for this election but said that she would not back down from the fight. Junjun also expressed his confidence that his sister has a high chance of winning.
However, he said that he is worried of the possibility of cheating in the coming elections, as he claimed that their opponents are ready to do anything to kick them out of Makati.
Binay and Lagdameo will face off with Liberal Party bets Acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr. and Karla Mercado, the daughter of former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who is at the forefront of the corruption allegations against the Binays.
Related: Acting Mayor Peña, neophyte Karla Mercado to run in Makati
CNN Philippines’ Joyce Ilas contributed to this report.
