The tale of two mayors

The standoff that’s happening in Makati today is another clear indication that politics in this country has come to its lowest. The two “mayors” – Jejomar “Junjun” Binay and Romulo “Kid” Peña – are both asserting their authority with each one holding office a few meters away from each other, even leading separate flag raising ceremonies attended by their supporters yesterday.

The impasse started when the Office of the Ombudsman issued a suspension order on Mayor Binay and other City Hall officials ostensibly to give authorities a free hand in investigating their supposed involvement in the allegedly overpriced new Makati City Hall building, with Peña sworn in as acting mayor on March 16. The Binay camp was able to secure a 60-day temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals but the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Ombudsman all claim that the TRO came too late since Peña was already sworn in.

Junjun Binay, however, asserts that the CA order overrules the suspension, with some legal minds also opining that the TRO precisely prevents the suspension from taking effect – which should render Peña swearing-in as acting mayor inutile.  

But while the impasse continues, guess who ends up suffering the most? It’s the small people, in particular the city hall employees who are highly dependent on their salary but are very worried that they may not get it on time because the DILG wrote to the Land Bank of the Philippines that Junjun Binay was not authorized to sign disbursements, city government checks and other financial documents due to the six-month suspension order. In response, Binay also sent a letter to the LBP that the Court of Appeals issued a temporary restraining order against the suspension.

The confusing situation, because of the “two mayors,” is also paralyzing the delivery of services, for instance the processing of Yellow Cards for poor residents. Even businessmen are complaining because the approval of permits and licenses are also hindered, resulting in costly delays that could negatively impact the image of the city that’s known as the country’s financial hub.

It’s obvious that the situation in Makati has political undertones with Peña belonging to the Liberal Party, while Binay is with the United Nationalist Alliance. What’s happening is really a proxy war between LP and UNA with prospective  candidates DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and vice president Jejomar Binay going head to head in the 2016 presidential elections.  

Perhaps the Supreme Court should step in and decide with finality whether Binay’s suspension holds despite the TRO, so that everyone will know whether the “acting mayor” can legitimately dispense the functions of the mayor or not – at least for the next six months. There should be no double standard when it comes to the rule of law. Otherwise, investors might think we are a country that is inconsistent when it comes to observing the rule of law or worse, a country that does not observe the rule of law at all.

Lee Kuan Yew: The only successful dictator

The death of Lee Kuan Yew yesterday at the age of 91, six weeks after he was brought to the hospital due to pneumonia also marks the passing of a “true giant of history” as US President Barack Obama called him. Everyone knows how Lee transformed the tiny city-state into one of the most prosperous economies in the world today, known as one of the most corrupt-free and investment friendly destinations.

Students of history say it is quite remarkable how a seeming failure can result in outstanding triumph – referring to the decision of the Malaysian Parliament to expel Singapore from the Federation of Malaya in 1965, which gained Singapore its independence as a republic. It was a difficult time, with the fledgling republic faced with the challenge of establishing its own identity, creating jobs and encouraging economic activity while surrounded by potentially antagonistic neighbors.

What really got Lee going was his strict stance on discipline and the fact that he was not overly concerned with being popular or well liked. The secret to his success, as some describe it, is a benevolent dictatorship where he ruled with an iron hand – promoting social reform while abolishing juries (which he believed could be swayed by emotionalism) and detaining political opponents to maintain order.

The Singapore government also interfered in the way financial institutions were run, dictating on spending and investments. Education was given priority with particular focus on science to create a well-educated workforce that would be attractive to business investors. The result: a highly prosperous and economically strong nation that is now the envy of others including the Philippines. Lee had a great vision, and he planned every step of the way to turn this vision into reality. For sure, he will be remembered as the man who changed the way government is run – the only one among his contemporaries who emerged as a successful, and to a certain extent, a well-loved dictator.

Spy tidbit: Monica Lewinsky speaks against cyber-bullying

Seventeen years after becoming a household name for having an inappropriate relationship with then US president Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky has emerged from her shell and is doing the rounds speaking against the cyber-bullying she received even before the emergence of social media. Public shaming has become a blood sport, she said, denouncing the emergence of a marketplace where public humiliation is a commodity and shame is an industry where money is made as fast as the clicks one makes.

Like we always say, social media can be your great ally or your worst nightmare. It can make or break you, so remember to think before you click, and pause before you hit that send button.

* * *

Email: [email protected]