Jejomar Binay

This article is about the current Philippine vice-president. For his son, see Jejomar Binay, Jr..

The Honourable
Jejomar Binay
Jejomar Binay
Jejomar Binay in 2009
15th Vice President of the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 30, 2010
President Benigno Aquino III
Preceded by Noli de Castro
Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 20, 2010
Preceded by Noli de Castro
Mayor of Makati City
In office
June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Preceded by Elenita Binay
Succeeded by Jejomar Binay, Jr.
In office
February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1998
Preceded by Sergio S. Santos
Succeeded by Elenita Binay
In office
February 27, 1986 – December 1987
Preceded by Nemesio I. Yabut
Succeeded by Sergio S. Santos
Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
In office
1990–1991
Preceded by Position established; Succeeded position of Governor of Manila, held by Imelda Marcos
Succeeded by Ignacio Bunye
In office
1998–2001
Preceded by Prospero Oreta
Succeeded by Benjamin Abalos
Personal details
Born Jesus Jose Cabauatan Binay[1][Note 1]
November 11, 1942[Note 2]
Paco, Manila, Philippines
Nationality PhilippinesFilipino
Political party UNA (2012–present)
PDP-Laban (2001–2014)
UNO (2005–2010)
Spouse(s) Elenita Binay
Children Nancy Binay
Mar-Len Abigail Binay-Campos
Jejomar Binay, Jr.
Marita Angeline Binay-Alcantara
Joanna Marie Blanca Binay
Residence Brgy. San Antonio, Makati City
Alma mater University of the Philippines
Occupation Lawyer
Politician
Civil Servant
Religion Roman Catholicism
Website Office of the Vice President

Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan Binay, Sr. (born Jesús José Cabauatan Binay[1][Note 1] on November 11, 1942[Note 2]) is the 15th and current Vice President of the Philippines, under President Benigno Aquino III. He was the longest-serving Mayor of Makati, having been in office from 1986 to 1987, 1988 to 1998 and again from 2001 to 2010.

He is concurrently serving as the Chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

Personal life

Binay is married to Elenita Sombillo, who is a physician by profession. She was elected Mayor of Makati in the 1998, and served until 2001. They have five children, three of whom are politicians:

Early life and education

Binay was born at 5:00 PM on November 11, 1942[Note 2] at Sacred Heart Hospital at 374 Looban St., Paco, Manila.[1] He is the younger of two children of Diego "Jego" Medrano Binay, a librarian from Bauan, Batangas, and Lourdes Gatan Cabauatan (died January 2, 1951 in Pasay City),[3] a school teacher from Cabagan, Isabela. He had an older sibling who died before he was born making him the only child who survived childhood.[1] After being orphaned at the age of nine, he was adopted by his uncle, Ponciano Binay.[4][5]

Binay went to the Philippine Normal College Training Department for his elementary education. He later went to the University of the Philippines Preparatory School for his high school education. For college he attended the University of the Philippines, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Political Science, and later a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law. He passed the Philippine Bar Examination in 1968. Additionally, he took up master's degree in Public Administration at the University of the Philippines, and master's degree in Law at the University of Santo Tomas.[4]

Higher studies

Binay took up graduate studies at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), the Center for Research and Communication (now known as the University of Asia and the Pacific), the Joint Services Command Staff College (JSCSC), and the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning. He also received a certificate from the The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania after completing the International Housing Finance Program.[6] He was a senior executive fellow of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.[4]

Legal career

Upon taking and passing the Bar exam, Binay chose a different path of being lawyer, that of being a human rights lawyer. During the Martial Law period, he lawyered for the political prisoners detained unjustly by the Marcos regime in the 1970s.

Soon, he co founded along with other fellow human rights lawyers like Joker Arroyo and Rene Saguisag, a national movement of lawyers known as MABINI to coordinate their efforts in advancing the cause of nationalism and, on protecting human rights.

For helping political prisoners, many MABINI lawyers, including Binay, were imprisoned.[2]

Political career

Mayor of Makati City (1986–1998)

In February 1986, Binay became one of President Corazon Aquino’s first appointed local officials after Mayor Nemesio I. Yabut died while in office during the EDSA Revolution.[7] He was elected in his own right in 1988 and was reelected in 1992 and 1995.

He joined pro-democracy forces in preventing the mutinies against the Aquino administration from being successful. His active role in the defense of the Constitution earned him the nickname "Rambotito" (or little Rambo, after the screen hero), the Outstanding Achievement Medal and a special commendation from Aquino.

MMDA Chairman (1990-1991)

During his first term as mayor, Binay was also elected by the mayors in Metro Manila as chairman of the Metro Manila Authority, which was a precursor to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). He served from 1990 to 1991.

In 1998, he was appointed chairman of the MMDA with cabinet rank under the administration of President Joseph Estrada. He was also appointed as vice-chairman of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission.

Mayor of Makati City (2001–2010)

In 2001, Binay reclaimed his post as mayor of Makati, winning over actor, TV host, and then-vice mayor Edu Manzano via landslide and became a critic of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He won his second term in 2004 by a landslide against 1st district Councilor Oscar Ibay. He ran for his third and last term as mayor in 2007 and won again by a landslide, beating incumbent Senator and actor Lito Lapid. His margin over Lapid has been considered as the largest margin in a local election in Makati City.[2]

Vice Presidency (2010-present)

Campaign

Binay initially announced his bid for the presidency for the 2010 elections during his 66th birthday celebration at the Makati City Hall on November 11, 2008 but abandoned his bid in order to give way to the reelection bid of former President Estrada. He eventually became Estrada’s running mate and ran under the banner of Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-LABAN).

He initially showed a relatively poor performance in the public opinion polls, trailing behind Senators Loren Legarda and Mar Roxas, who was heavily favored to win the race, but his standings improved as the elections approached, overtaking Legarda and tying with Roxas in the final survey conducted.[8][9] He went on to narrowly defeat Roxas in the election by 700,000 votes.

Roxas filed an election protest before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal of the Supreme Court, which is still currently pending.

Vice President

Binay took his oath as Vice President on June 30, 2010, becoming the first local government official to do so.

He was appointed as chairman of the Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) by President Noynoy Aquino, the same position held by his predecessor, Vice-President Noli de Castro and Presidential Adviser for OFW Concerns. He also heads the Task Force OFW which helps Overseas Filipino Workers who were maltreated by their employers to return to the Philippines with the assistance of the government.

2016 Philippine Presidential Bid

He is widely considered to be the frontrunner among presidential candidates for the Philippine general election, 2016, with Senator Grace Poe often coming in at a distant second.[10][11][12]

Speculation as to who his running mate will be come 2016 have seen fingers pointed in many directions, including the likes of PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan,[13] Senator Jinggoy Estrada,[14] Rep. Manny Pacquiao,[15] Nacionalista Party President Manny Villar,[16] and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos.[17]

Controversies

2006

Graft Charges

In October 2006, the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued a suspension order against Binay, Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, and all members of the City Council following an accusation of 'ghost employees' on the city payroll by former Vice Mayor Roberto Brillante, a political rival.[18] Refusing to cooperate with the suspension order, he barricaded himself inside the Makati City Hall. Among those who expressed support were former President Corazon Aquino, actress Susan Roces - the widow of the late movie star and 2004 opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. - and several Catholic bishops.[19][20] After a three-day stand-off, the Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order. Before it lapsed, the court issued an injunction order, thereby preventing the Office of the President from enforcing its suspension order until the case was resolved.[21]

Binay was upheld by the courts in a graft case filed by the Ombudsman over allegations of overpricing in the purchase of office furniture. The case was also filed by Brillante, who at that time was leading in Makati a Palace-supported signature campaign to amend the Constitution. The Sandiganbayan Third Division dismissed the graft case filed against him and his six co-accused for lack of factual basis.[22] Critics claim the suspension order was intended to distract attention from the government's own scandals.[23]

2007

BIR

On May 2, 2007 the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) froze all the bank accounts of the city government of Makati and the personal accounts of Binay and Mercado.

The BIR issued the order after it said the city still owed the BIR P1.1 billion in withholding taxes of city employees from 1999 to 2002. BIR revenue officer Roberto Baquiran signed and issued the warrant of garnishment against the bank accounts that belonged to Binay, Mercado, the city government and the city’s treasurer and accountant.

The city government protested the garnishment order, saying the city had already paid P200 million to the BIR as part of a settlement agreement agreed to by Finance Secretary Margarito Teves and former BIR chief Jose Bunag. The city also said the order was flawed, since Baquiran had no authority to issue writs of garnishment and freezing the personal accounts of Binay and Mercado were also unlawful.[24][25]

The garnishment orders were eventually lifted by Malacañang, but not after Binay slammed the move as politically motivated and patently illegal.[26][27]

And again, barely a week before the local elections, the Ombudsman suspended him based on allegations made by a local candidate allied with Malacanang. It would be revealed that the charges were supported by falsified statements. In a repeat of the October 2006 incident, heavily armed policemen barged into the City Hall after office hours, forcibly opening the offices and occupying the building. he confronted police officials and representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government, while hundreds of supporters once again swarmed the city hall quadrangle to show their support.[28]

The suspension order generated national media attention, and prompted even administration senatorial candidates to protest publicly, saying the action further undermined their chances in the elections.[29] In the election that followed, Binay and his entire slate in the polls won by a landslide.[30] The opposition slate for the Senate eventually won by a landslide.[31]

2010

Personal Details Leaked During Vice Presidential Campaign

During the 2010 vice presidential campaign, Binay admitted to having an extramarital affair, which almost cost him his marriage. He complained about photos of his mistress that were leaked in the Internet, saying the tactic was a reaction to his rise in his vice presidential poll ratings.

2014-2015

Senate blue ribbon hearing on Corruption

Allegations of corruption resurfaced late 2014 on alleged overpricing was done for the Makati City Hall Building II and other related allegations[32]

  1. Unexplained wealth 400 hectares Binay FARM-Rosario Batangas [33]
  2. Unexplained wealth 40 hectares Binay FARM-Bauan Batangas [34]
  3. Unexplained wealth 10 hectares Mango Orchard [35]
  4. Two condominium units Rockwell worth 30 million not on his SALN [36]
  5. Three story Mansion with Elevator in Banuyo Street,San Antonio Village and not on his SALN [37]
  6. House and lot Orbit st.Bel -Air Village and not on his SALN [38]
  7. House and Lot in Palm Village,Guadalope Viejo and not on his SALN [38]
  8. Rest House in Tali Beach, Batangas
  9. Rest House in Puerto Azul, Cavite
  10. Rest House in Tagaytay, Highlands
  11. Rest House in Alfonso Cavite
  12. Rest House in Zambales
  13. Rest House in Pangasinan
  14. More houses in Paranaque, Pasig, Mandaluyong and Muntinglupa
  15. 600 Ghost Employee authorized by corrupt wife,Dra Elenita Binay and Amigas worth 3 million a month.[39]
  16. Binay wife linked to Php72.06-M graft
  17. A former whistleblower in high-profile graft corruption controversies turned-head of government’s financial watchdog yesterday linked the wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay, an incumbent and several former Makati City officials to alleged deception in the public bidding for a Php72.06 million supply contract awarded by the city government in 2001.
  18. Bogus charity Project-40 Million (sister cityhood)
  19. Bogus charity Project-27 Million calamity fund to other Provinces
  20. Bogus charity Project-22 Million Lakbay Aral Package
  21. Bogus charity Project-20 Million Ambulance to other Cities
  22. 230 Million Infomercial in TV 2009–Present. He used the Makati Foundation Day Funds
  23. 15 Million -Komiks for Vice President Campaign
  24. More illegal canteen Businesses in Makati(UM,CITY HALL)
  25. Security Services Company contract to the city Hall own by the Son in Law (Triforce security Agency)
  26. Maintenance Services another son in Law (Red Hammer construction and Services)
  27. Binay mistress’ photos surface the internet

Notes

1.^[Note 1] His name was supposed to be Jesus Jose Maria Cabauatan Binay, but Maria was not added in his birth certificate.
2.^[Note 2] According to his birth certificate, he was born on November 10, 1942.[1] However according to his official documents, he was born on November 11, 1942, which is the date he personally prefers.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Jejomar Binay's Birth Certificate
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Makati City Government official website, Biography of Hon. Jejomar C. Binay,
  3. ↑ Lourdes Binay's Death Certificate
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Biography of Hon. Jejomar C. Binay, City Mayor". City of Makati. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Vice President Jejomar "Jojo" C. Binay". Office of the Vice President of the Philippines. Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  6. ↑ ,
  7. ↑ "Jejomar C Binay". World Mayor. City Mayors Foundation. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  8. ↑ Binay overtakes Legarda in VP race. ABS-CBNNews.com. April 29, 2010
  9. ↑ Christian Esguerra and Philip Tubeza Binay ties Roxas; Aquino pulls away. Inquirer.net. 05/07/2010
  10. ↑ http://www.rappler.com/nation/56725-binay-runaway-winner-pulse-asia-poll
  11. ↑ http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2014/07/10/in-philippines-vice-president-stands-out-for-2016-race/
  12. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/07/19/1347910/binay-tops-poll-presidential-bets-grace-2nd
  13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR0fbR0ygOM
  14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TsMrNUpJzE
  15. ↑ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/382405/news/nation/vp-binay-open-to-manny-pacquiao-as-2016-running-mate-but
  16. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpObaU9km3A
  17. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AkDmUz323U
  18. ↑ Michael Punongbayan Binay suspended for 60 days. Philstar.com. October 18, 2006
  19. ↑ Maila Ager, Veronica Uy, Thea Alberto Allies rush to embattled Binay’s side. Inquirer.net. 10/17/2006
  20. ↑ Erap to Palace: Stop harassing opposition. Philstar.com. October 18, 2006
  21. ↑ CA stops Binay’s suspension. Philstar.com. Updated October 20, 2006
  22. ↑ Norman Bordadora Sandigan Bayan clears Binay of graft charge. Inquirer.net. 10/31/2006
  23. ↑ Binay’s suspension a political vendetta. Inquirer.net. 10/19/2006
  24. ↑ DJ Yap Assets seizure could hurt City Hall – Binay. Inquirer.net. 05/04/2007
  25. ↑ Michael Punongbayan and Jose Rodel Clapano Suspension for Binay. Philstar.com. May 05, 2007
  26. ↑ DJ Yap and Fe Zamora Palace retreats on Binay. Inquirer.net. 05/07/2007
  27. ↑ Daxim Lucas BIR unfreezes Makati funds. Inquirer.net. 05/06/2007
  28. ↑ Julie M. Aurelio, Tarra Quismundo Binay questions suspension order. Inquirer.net. 05/05/2007
  29. ↑ Sandy Araneta Binay questions suspension. Philstar.com. May 09, 2007
  30. ↑ DJ Yap (UPDATE 2) Binay is reelected Makati mayor. Inquirer.net. 05/17/2007
  31. ↑ 10 senators proclaimed. Philippine Fiesta. Volume 6 No. 3. June 8–21, 2007
  32. ↑ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/413329/news/nation/fresh-corruption-allegations-to-welcome-resumption-of-senate-probe-on-vp-binay
  33. ↑ http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/643379/mercado-hacienda-binays-bigger-than-luneta-araneta-center
  34. ↑ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/08/14/binay-owns-mansions-tagaytay-batangas-mercado
  35. ↑ http://globalbalita.com/2014/11/06/the-unexplained-wealth-of-jejomar-binay-vice-president/
  36. ↑ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/378080/news/metromanila/contractor-of-overpriced-makati-building-also-building-condo-rep-binay-won-in-raffle
  37. ↑ http://www.philstar.com/metro/571869/binay-son-asked-explain-p50-million-makati-house
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/69161-lord-makati-binay-explain-wealth
  39. ↑ http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/18352/news/nation/binay-foes-witnesses-to-expose-ghost-workers

External links