Jobama

Former president Joseph Estrada and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay dismissed as "harassment" and "ridiculous" allegations they were “gun-toting” during an event in Cebu.

BY : Boldstar
Jesus Jose Maria “Jejomar” Binay, the mayor of Makati City, called “Rambotito” during Aquino’s presidency and now “Jo-Bama” of the Philippines, is a Presidential candidate in the general election 2010. He is also the president of the United Opposition. He will run under the banner of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban). Among his vocal supporters is the former president Joseph Estrada who stated that Binay has the capacity and the ability. He has shown this as the chief executive of the country’s premier city (2010, pinoyvote).

Many people consider the Mayor as a hardworking individual. He presides over the financial hub of the country, home to the elite in business and society. At the start of his tenure (EDSA 1986) Makati city was near bankruptcy after Yabut’s reign. His supporters point out his achievements in the city’s management, his leading role in the ousting of the Marcos administration hand in hand with Aquino and Estrada as well as his continued opposition to the incumbent Gloria Arroyo. In 2006, he was included among the top 10 mayors in the world in the annual World Mayor project as well as securing 3 terms in office with the fourth being succeeded by his own wife.
His personal origin is more substantially humble compared to the business titans he now associates.

An orphan born into poverty whose first job was as a piggery assistant. He managed to graduate from the University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) alongside prestigious alumni such as Fidel Ramos, Ferdinand Marcos, Cesar Virata, Letty Shahani, Cheez Escudero, Mike Defensor, and Felipe Gozon to name a few. He also managed to support himself and obtain a degree in Political Science and Law from the University of the Philippines. Apparently, like Obama he spent the next few years practicing community law among the country’s poor during an era that was kleptocratic and draconian with politics and finance controlled by cronyism.

He was even arrested by the Marcos regime for his pro-democracy efforts.
Here are some of his accomplishments;

1. Member of the Rotary Club of Makati

2. He is currently on his third term as the National President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

3. Vice President for Membership (2006- 2008), United Cities and Local Governments-Asia Pacific Chapter; Life Honorary Member (since February 2001) and Member.

4. World Executive Committee of the International Union of Local Authorities-Asia Pacific; Member, Executive Committee (2006-2009).

5. Network for Local Authorities for the Management of Human Settlement (CITYNET)

6. Chairman, Finance Sub-Committee, World Scout Organization.
7. Senior executive fellow of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

8. Binay is also a Philippine Marine Colonel in the reservist forces.

9. He is married to Dr Elenita Binay, a medical practitioner and herself the former mayor of Makati (1998-2001)

His opponents on the other hand point out how Mayor Binay consolidated an empire based on money for loyalty and thuggery by his ardent yellow army, exacerbated by the LGU code. He created a political familial dynasty so common among the old “trapos” proliferating in the political landscape of the country. For instance, impeded by a term limit, he let his own wife “rule” Makati with the help of his inexorably dutiful and pugnacious "yellow army" to implement everything. Their imposition on the constituents of the city was shown during the San Lorenzo Village resolution 89 that allegedly saw its passing into ordinance having little or no community consultations required by law with the people affected by the changes.

Additionally, his detractors alleged that his support for the poor and under-privileged of Makati have been mostly machinations for the continuation of his power. By pouring the resources of the city into PNR railways, Kalayaan Road, the Botanical Gardens he ensured votes. His alleged favouritism towards Barangay leaders who are loyal to him ensured funds for their projects and their re-election campaigns. Those who are not are made to suffer as alleged by many during the San Lorenzo debacle. Your funds are supposedly assured if your loyalty is unflinching. Others argued that why shouldn’t he help the poor, isn’t that what the government is about?

Like any politicians in the country, his family is involved in the affairs of the city. One of his daughters is serving as a representative of the 2nd District of Makati City and his son Jejomar Erwin is a Makati Councillor. This grip on power many argued shows a sign of an autocratic individual rather than a democratic fighter and champion of the poor with self interest on the agenda.

He is however a known Arroyo opponent. He is the mayor Malacanang loves to hate. The administration in fact had in the past accused Binay of false accounting and through DILG moved to suspend his tenure as well as accusations of graft which were eventually dismissed for lack of probable cause. And many people including myself praise his battles with Gloria Arroyo, but are also dismayed by his loyalty to the former convicted plunderer, married womanizer, jueteng lord and former jailed president of the republic, Joseph Estrada.

That is why one can’t help but be amused that here’s a man with many successes in running one of the premier cities in the country and could yet be the next President of the Republic of the Philippines. And yet he is willing to be subjected to a possible fatal character assassination by his continued proximity to the former plunderer who is allegedly raising billions for his campaigns. No mud had ever stuck on “Jobama” in the past.

But could he be the next president?

Maybe, maybe not, but please he should stop aligning himself with Barack Obama, it is cheap, moronic and sad. The colour of your skin matters not in the affairs of the republic.

Show us what you’ve got.