Binay challenges Lapid to election debate

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay yesterday challenged Senator Lito Lapid to a debate on their respective plans for the country’s financial and business capital.

"Welcome to Makati," he said in response to the former Pampanga governor’s Saturday night announcement that he will run against him in May.

"But given Mr. Lapid’s political problems in his home province of Pampanga, I just hope that he will find the time to tell the people of Makati his programs should he be elected mayor," Binay added.

Binay reminded his newest political opponent that Makati voters are very discerning and are not easily swayed by popularity or promises. "Makati voters are thinking voters. They listen to what candidates are saying. They scrutinize the qualifications and track record in government of the candidates."

He added that the business sector is also interested in Lapid’s economic programs given Makati’s role as the country’s financial capital.

Binay said various business groups, civic organization and communities are already organizing candidates’ forums, and he looks forward to seeing Lapid in the gatherings.

"Aside from public services, the business groups are interested in knowing how the candidates will enhance Makati’s reputation as a financial center and a hub for (information technology) IT-related services," he said.

Binay did not bother to waste time on the issue that Lapid is not known as a Makati resident and moved to the city only recently to stop Binay — one of President Arroyo’s most vocal political foes — from winning.

"In a democracy, anyone who meets the minimum residency requirement can run for public office. Mr. Lapid has always been a Pampanga resident, but he was able to comply with the residency requirement set by law," he said.

Binay expressed confidence that the people of Makati will continue to support his leadership instead of going for a newcomer, who is allegedly being fielded by Malacañang to unseat him for heading the United Opposition (Uno).

"In the end, it will be about vision and performance. Given a fair fight, I am confident that the people of Makati will again show their confidence in my leadership," he said.

Binay believes that the coming elections in Makati will put him against the powerful political machinery of the Arroyo administration.

"I have always maintained that Mr. Lapid is just a stand-in for Mrs. Arroyo," he said adding that his camp is preparing for "all types of dirty tricks and special operations" that Malacañang might employ.

"This regime is known for breaking the rules. If you recall, they tried to have me suspended on trumped up charges, but this has been enjoined permanently by the Court of Appeals. They filed a case against me before the Sandiganbayan, but this was dismissed by the court because the complaint had no factual basis," he said, referring to accusations that he was skimming money from government coffers by hiring phantom city government employees.

Binay said he hopes that the administration will keep its hands off Makati politics and will respect the voice of the people.

Binay, a long-time Makati resident, was first named officer-in-charge of the then municipal government of Makati by President Corazon Aquino in February 1986.

He has been re-elected in succeeding local elections, and was named chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in 1998 before he ran and was elected mayor in 2001.