Butz Aquino: Alternative candidate for Makati folk

MANILA, Philippines - Former Makati Rep. Agapito “Butz” Aquino, independent Makati mayoralty candidate, said yesterday that he is the “alternative” for Makati residents.

 In a press conference, Aquino said that Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay has allowed his son, Councilor Junjun Binay, to run for mayor in Makati because he does not want to lose hold of the City. “(Mayor) Binay is a realistic man. While he does not want political dynasty, he does not want to lose hold of Makati. My confidence (of winning the election) is borne out of the reception of my constituents during my house to house visits with them. One out of 10 does not want me,” Aquino said.

 Aquino said about 30 days before the deadline of the filing of certificates of candidacy, he talked with Binay about the possibility of him running for mayor. “He told me not to disrupt the situation. It was the old Genuino (Ephraim) who called me that the two friends are having problems (Binay and Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado). He (Genuino) said if Junjun Binay runs for mayor, and Mercado runs for mayor, we can work together. I tried to check the situation 20 days to go before the deadline. I also checked 10 days before the deadline of filing, they were still in tact. They were egging me to file (my candidacy). Then I checked again, six days before the filing, then it was verified.

Team to beat

“Three days before the filing, my friends were unanimous, so I filed my candidacy,” Aquino said.

Aquino admitted that the Binay-Mercado tandem is a team to beat. “I believe that is the strongest team. That will be a team to beat,” Aquino said.

Aquino said he looked at the falling out between Binay and Mercado as an alternative to present himself as an “alternative” for Makati residents. “I looked at it as an opportunity to present an alternative. This is Makati. We should preserve that. Everytime they discourage me, they just show that they are scared of me. As far as Mercado is concerned, being from the second district of Makati I am for Binay and was unleashed to divide votes. I was a three-term congressman. I was also accused of dividing the Binay vote by Binay’s camp because I came from the second district,” Aquino said.

Aquino said the falling out between Binay and Mercado is giving him an edge over the four mayoralty candidates in Makati. “I’m glad that they are quarelling,” Aquino said without elaborating.

Aquino said he does not consider Genuino as a power to reckon with in the May elections because of his association with President Arroyo. “Anybody associated with this administration, I’m talking about Arroyo, carries a big burden. And so, the alliance with President Arroyo is a proof of a kiss of death. I am an independent candidate,” Aquino said.

He said his primary aim is to share the richness of Makati to the entire residents, especially to the poor.