MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Abby Binay managed to retain her post as mayor of Makati City, dominating an election that brought to the fore her feud with brother Junjun, a former mayor who sought to retake the city hall.
Final tally of votes showed 179,522 Makati voters supported Abby’s reelection bid, beating Junjun who received 98,653 votes.
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Abby also defeated her other rivals Wilfredo Talag (1,541 votes), Ricardo Yabut (23,721 votes), Carmelle Ainne Alanzalon (1,101 votes) and Renato Bondal (3,565 votes).
In 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman charged the Binay patriarch, Jejomar, and Junjun, along with several other officials and employees of the Makati City government, over alleged irregularities in the construction of Makati City Hall Building II.
Beset by a massive corruption scandal, Jejomar lost the presidential elections in 2016 while Abby won the seat for Makati mayor to maintain the family's control over the city.
Abby was set on running for another term as Makati mayor, when, last October 12, her brother declared that he would be running against her.
Reacting to her brother's political plans, Abby had warned in an interview on ANC's "Headstart" that it "will divide our family even after the elections." She stressed that she had supported her embattled brother "through all the joy and the sorrow" and the political crises he had to face. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral with reports from Kristine Joy Patag