'Little General' for president

Jejomar Binay, United Opposition president, was one of committed human rights lawyers defending media persons beleaguered with libel suits during the martial law years. This columnist was one of his pro-bono (how else could it be otherwise) clients and she gave him a picture of both of them huddled in a corner prior to the preliminary investigation of the suit filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court. The case never prospered; the EDSA revolution killed it.

During the coup of 1987, Atty. Binay became famous for being the “little general” who led civilian forces ward off elements that wanted to topple President Corazon Aquino’s administration.

Twenty-two years later, the other night, at a continuing series of “intimate” dialogues with presidentiables, we had dinner on the 21st floor of Makati City Hall, and found no “little” general, but the “big” head of the empire of Makati, the most dynamic and richest city in the country today. (Population, 600,000 nighttime, and 3.2 million at daytime.) Dinner was served at a long table made of hard wood, for 20 persons, equipped with a sound system and video screen. A tour of rooms showed fine and expensive décor, including a special room for visiting important dignitaries, and a small bedroom for when the mayor needs a catnap.

Our group moved up to the 23rd floor, to see the city’s safety monitoring and call center from whose high-tech computer system could be seen traffic violators on the streets, and criminals shot by hidden cameras in action. Reports called in are followed up by mobile patrols; director of international relations, former advertising man Frankie Roman told us the city’s high-tech monitoring system allows residents to sleep in peace.

The impressive building, of stone and marble, built about five years ago at a cost of P2 billion, is a testament to the city’s sound financial status. “When I first became OIC, the city’s revenue was only P206 million. Now, after 22 years, the revenue is P8.6 billion.” How did he do it? By strict collection of licenses and wise fiscal management. After all, of the country’s 1,000 big business corporations, 300 are located in the city.

If he can change the fiscal picture of the city, Binay believes he can do it for the whole Philippines. But he wants a realignment of responsibilities, chief of which is decentralization of functions, which will allow local governments to make use of and be accountable for their internal revenue allotments and local resources. That way, corruption is minimized, the assumption being that allocations for infrastructure projects are pilfered along the way — from national to regional and provincial officials, so by the time the money reaches the real beneficiary, it is only 30 percent.

He was born Nov. 11, 1942, with the name Jesus, Joseph and Mary (Jejomar) Cabauatan Binay. He is also called Jojo. Orphaned early, he grew up with his uncle Ponciano. Barefooted, he went around the neighborhood to collect sop (kaning baboy) for his uncle’s backyard piggery, cleaned the street early in the morning and looked after his uncle’s fighting cocks and doing the daily marketing.

He took his studies seriously, finished his early public schooling, went to the UP Preparatory High school, and earned a bachelor’s degree major in political science and Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Philippines, and passed the bar exams in 1968.

He married a doctor of medicine, Elenita Sombillo, their union bearing five children — Maria Lourdes Nancy, Marlen Abigail, Jejomar Erwin, Marita Angeline, and Joanna Marie Blanca. Dr. Binay was elected for the term vacated by her husband, and daughter Abigail is serving as a congresswoman.

While raising a family with his small income from a teaching job and law practice, Jojo gave free legal assistance to poor clients and victims of human rights abuses during the Marcos regime. A fiery member of the parliament of the streets, he joined the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM) formed shortly after the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in August 1983. He also helped found the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc. (MABINI). For helping political prisoners, he was locked up in local jails and military stockades along with many MABINI lawyers.

Recognizing Jojo’s contribution to the struggle against the dictatorship, President Aquino appointed him as acting mayor of Makati — the first appointed local official. Thus began his political career. On his own, he was elected mayor of Makati in 1988, and was twice reelected, in 1992 and 1995. In 1987, in concurrent capacity as Makati mayor, he was appointed governor of Metro Manila, and later was elected in Metro Manila as chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Most everyone want to reside in Makati because tuition and books in the schools are free, uniform and shoes for students, free hospitalization, burial assistance, and for senior citizens, free movies, a cake, and P1,000 cash in June and another P1,000 in December. Four times a year, the city government hosts a grand party to welcome residents who have turned 60 years old.

If he became president, will all the citizens get all the benefits enjoyed by Makati residents? The mayor only smiles.

Yes, Jojo wants to run for president, but if his buddy, Erap, will run, he will slide down to vice-president. Either way, he believes he will make a good leader.

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