Makati acting mayor gets daughter of Binay's foe to run in 2016

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED 6:28 p.m.) — Makati acting Mayor Romulo "Kid" Peña on Monday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) as mayor in next year's polls with the promise of putting an end to "old politics" in the city.

Accompanied by his supporters and motorcycle riders who joined him on his "unity walk" from the Makati Coliseum in Barangay La Paz where he delivered his State of the City Address, Peña arrived at the Makati Commission on Elections (Comelec) office at the city's business district as a band played the Beatles' "Ob-la-Di Ob-la-Da."

Peña—wearing a black shirt with the logo of comic book hero The Flash—then walked up to the Comelec's office at the second floor of the city's main fire station building to present his documents before local poll officials.

Also filing her COC was Peña's running mate, Karla Mercado, daughter of former Makati Vice Mayor and Vice President Jejomar Binay's nemesis, Ernesto Mercado.

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Facing reporters after his candidacy filing, Peña said the time has arrived for his turn to finally take control of the Makati city government following the hardships he had faced.

"Siguro 'yung haba ng panahong tiniis ko. E nasa oposisyon ako. So dinanas ko lahat. Walang budget, walang mga tauhan. Wala lahat. Puro volunteers lang ako sa Makati. At nung nagnyayari na lahat tong kaganapang ito, siguro, na overcome ako pero hindi naman tayo emotional so yung puntong yun, sumaklob na sa akin ang lahat ng mga taon na pinaghirap ko talaga," he said.

"Binigyan nila ako ng pagkakataon na mailagay sa kasaysayan ng lungsod ng Makati. Una, noong naging acting mayor ako. Pangalawa. Ngayon na masasabi natin na ako ay ganap nang mayor ng lungsod. Sa loob ng 29 na taon, ngayon lang nagkaron ng bagong liderato sa Makati. Nadaanan ko lahat ng levels ng paniunungkulan sa Makati,"  Peña added.

Peña assured that he would continue to implement the city government's programs under the leadership of dismissed Mayor Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay Jr. especially those concerning the city's senior residents. He, however, also made clear that he would not be installing his own brand of "dynasty" in the city.

According to Peña he has a brother who is currently a barangay councilor in Makati's Barangay Valenzuela. Peña says he is convincing his brother to step down and just support his "crusade."

"Ang aking kapatid ay isang kagawad sa barangay. Unti-unti, pinilipilit ko na ang aking mga kamag-anakan na umalis na sa Makati city government. 'Di ko gagayahin. Mayron lang akong isang kapatid na kagawad. Naguusap na kami na tulungan na lang ako sa krusada ko para sa lungsod," he said.

Joining Peña and Mercado in the lineup for Makati opposing the Binays are Nicholas Garcia for District 1 representative and Israel Cruzado for District 2 representative. Also running for councilors for District 1 are Jessielin Trinidad, Nilo Lopez, Jr., Raymond Kahiwat, Jose Villena IV, Virgilio Batalla, Mario Cruz Jr. Celerino Umandap and Oscar Ibay.

Joining them for District 2 councilor position Efren Arenas, Ernesto Aspillaga, Jeffrey Baluyut, Judith Celos, Artemio Contreras II, Mario Hechanova, Hilario Lorico and Kristina Sarosa.

Meanwhile, Peña has advised dismissed Mayor Binay to just abide with the Ombudsman's order and not anymore push with his re-election plan.

"Kung sa tuwing may ibabang mga dikreto, o may batas na ipapairal, lagi 'yung pagtanggi ang ibibigay po natin, ang mga nasasakupan naming ay tumitingin. Bakit ba parang ayaw sumunod? Sa akin po lamang ay nagpapahayag ng aking nakikita at napapansin.  Tanggapin po natin ang pinaiiral na batas," he said.

Peña added that should Binay or his sister Mar-Len Abigail would still decide to challenge him at the polls, he would not be cowed as he has the support of Makati residents.

"Sa aking pag-iikot sa aking motorsiklo nakikita ko at naramdaman ko na sila ay nagbabadya na sila ay nakalikod at nakasuporta po sa inyong lingcod," he said.