Binay to employees: Join anti-GMA rally but shed uniform

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay is "ordering" all city hall employees to strip off their uniforms — that is, if they plan to join the rally against President Arroyo that is to be held today on Ayala Avenue.

Sources told The STAR that city hall employees have been instructed to wear only civilian clothes in order to blend into the crowd of protesters taking to the streets, led by Binay.

"All employees in the city hall of Makati have been told to join the rally and not to wear their uniform," said an employee who complained about the reported "order."

"The Boss" allegedly issued the order in an effort to boost the number of people who will join the rally, sources said. Makati City has long been tagged as "Binay Country" where Binay, who is the president of the United Opposition, "rules."

Binay is the only Metro Manila mayor to vocally criticize Mrs. Arroyo and her administration. He recently called for the President’s resignation after she had admitted to a "lapse in judgment" in phoning an elections official just after last year’s elections.

Binay first served as officer-in-charge of the city right after the 1986 military-backed uprising that ousted the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. He went on to serve three terms as mayor.

His wife, Dr. Elenita Binay, successfully ran for mayor in 1998 when term limits prevented him from running for a fourth consecutive term. He ran and won in last year’s synchronized polls.

Makati city hall has some 7,000 employees working in different departments and offices, excluding those working in the field.

Some of those who claimed they had not been given the "dress code" instruction said they would gladly join the rally if it meant not having to work for half the day.

Binay’s public information officer, Joey Salgado, denied such an order was issued, however.

"I believe that is just disinformation," he told The STAR, but he did confirm that a large rally is set to be held this afternoon in the city.

Salgado said employees have the right to join rallies but those who wish to do so should file a leave of absence, based on civil service rules.

Members of the group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino conducted a noise barrage yesterday near the monument of the late former senator Benigno Aquino Jr. at the intersection of Ayala Avenue and Paseo de Roxas.