Disqualification petition versus Jojo Binay filed

A petition for disqualification has been filed against former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Jejomar Binay on his candidacy for mayor of Makati City.

Lawyer Renato Bondal, filed the petition Wednesday with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as a registered voter of Makati City.

Bondal, legal counsel of the Lakas-NUCD party in Makati City, claimed that Binay’s candidacy constitutes a violation of the Constitution as well as the Local Government Code.

In his seven-page complaint, Bondal accused Binay of using his wife, Dr. Elenita Binay, to circumvent the Constitution through her candidacy for mayor of Makati City in 1998. Dr. Binay won the race for mayor but has opted to step down in favor of her husband in this year’s local government elections.

"The respondent (Binay), by filing his certificate if candidacy in the May 14, 2001 local elections has clearly manifested that the present incumbency of his wife is merely a subterfuge intended to circumvent the constitutional and statutory prohibitions against a fourth or consecutive fifth term of office of an elective local government official," Bondal said.

Lito Anzures, spokesperson of the Binay camp, laughed off the complaint of Bondal, claiming that it is baseless as well as stupid.

"I have heard of a three-in-one God but a two-in-one person? If they can’t distinguish Attorney Binay from Mayor/Doctor Binay, well I don’t think they can distinguish anything," Anzures said.

On the accusations of building a political dynasty in Makati City, Anzures said the issue should be settled by the people and not by the courts.

He claimed that the outcome is always determined by the people using their own discretion and free will as voters of the city.

In his petition, Bondal pointed out that the intention of the law against a fourth consecutive term is to promote equal access and opportunities for public service.

As a married couple, Bondal argued that Binay and his wife are considered as one, having shared the combined benefits derived from the Office of the Mayor and as manifested in their joint filing of their Sworn Assets and Liabilities.

He also claimed that Binay was actually running the city through his mayor-wife as alleged in numerous reports and commentaries. – Marvin Sy and Pia Lee-Brago