Abby Binay flags health center takeover, filing of raps ahead of polls

Abby Binay

MANILA, Philippines – Senatorial candidate and Makati Mayor Abby Binay said the takeover of health centers by Taguig City and the disqualification complaint filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) are interrelated, as she questioned the timing of these moves just one week before the elections.

Speaking before the media on Wednesday, Binay said these were obviously “planned and coordinated” by someone who does not want to see her in the Senate.

“Remember, itong ilang araw na ito parang gusto nila akong pasikatin. Siguro may isang tao na ayaw akong nasa Senado,” she said.

(Remember, these past few days it’s like they want to make me famous. Maybe there’s someone who doesn’t want me in the Senate.)

“They filed a new case last Monday, today is Wednesday. Nag-file sila ng kaso ng Monday, pinasok nila ang health center ng Tuesday, nag-open sila ng health center nila today, pero ang TRO nila ay hanggang Friday lang,” she said.

Binay said the timing raised questions as to the motive of Taguig, considering that the health centers have been closed for one year and five months now.

“Why did you wait a week before the elections to file a case and get a TRO and get possession of the health centers? If you are truly concerned for your constituents, dapat as early as January 2024 nag-file na kayo ng kaso at ininsist ninyong makuha ang possession ng property,” Binay said.

Binay also reiterated that the Supreme Court decision only pertained to territorial jurisdiction, not ownership of lands.

“Let’s go back. The Supreme Court decision is not about ownership. It is about territorial jurisdiction. Hindi sinabi ng Korte na lahat ng pagmamay-ari ng lungsod ng Makati ay mapupunta na sa Taguig,” Binay said.

She pointed out that Taguig’s refusal to obtain a Writ of Execution was the root cause of the continuing dispute.

“The reason why this case has been dragging on is because Taguig refuses to get a Writ of Execution. Di ba iyon lang naman iyong pinag-awayan namin noong umpisa pa lang? Kung may Writ of Execution, alam natin kung paano i-implement iyong Supreme Court decision, pero hanggang ngayon walang writ. Kaya magulo,” she explained.

Binay said Makati is set to file a number of cases, saying that the properties that Taguig has taken over are worth around P1.8 billion, but the court has required them to post a bond of only P20 million in favor of Makati.

Meanwhile, Binay said that the vote-buying complaint filed before the Comelec misrepresented what she said during a campaign rally, indicating malice on the part of the complainant.

The complaint stemmed from a quip made by Binay during a rally in Taguig last April 10.

“The complaint misrepresented a portion of my speech during the rally. I was referring to Rep. Pammy Zamora’s statement that she will provide more funding for the Ospital ng Makati,” Binay said in a statement.

She said that it was not vote-buying but a commentary on a campaign promise.

“There is nothing unlawful in this statement, since it was merely referring to a candidate’s promise to provide funding for services which is typical during a campaign season,” Binay said.

Binay said she has not received a formal copy or a show cause order from Comelec to date.