Binay flags ‘coordinated’ moves to derail Senate bid

Makati Mayor and senatorial candidate Abby Binay on Wednesday decried what she described as “planned and coordinated” actions aimed at derailing her Senate bid, citing the recent takeover of health centers by the Taguig City government and a disqualification complaint filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Binay questioned the timing of the two developments, which happened just a week before the May 2025 national elections.

“Remember, itong ilang araw na ito parang gusto nila akong pasikatin. Siguro may isang tao na ayaw akong nasa Senado,” she told reporters in a media briefing.

("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.")

On Monday, a new disqualification case was filed against her before the Comelec. The following day, Taguig personnel entered health centers formerly managed by Makati in the contested barangays. These facilities were reopened on Wednesday under Taguig’s supervision, backed by a temporary restraining order (TRO) valid until Friday.

“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,” Binay said.

("They filed the case on Monday, entered the health center on Tuesday, opened their health center today, but their TRO is only valid until Friday.")

The mayor criticized the move as suspicious, pointing out that the health centers had been closed for over a year.

“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,” she said.

("If you are truly concerned for your constituents, you should have filed the case as early as January 2024 and insisted on taking possession of the property.")

Binay also reiterated that the Supreme Court ruling that transferred jurisdiction over 10 barangays from Makati to Taguig did not award ownership of Makati properties to Taguig.

“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,” she said.

("The Court did not say that all properties owned by the City of Makati will automatically go to Taguig.")

She added that Taguig’s continued refusal to secure a Writ of Execution has prolonged the 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," Binay explained.

("Isn’t that the only thing we were arguing about from the very beginning? If there were a Writ of Execution, we’d know how to implement the Supreme Court decision — but until now, there’s no writ. That’s why it’s messy.")

She also revealed that Makati plans to file legal actions over the takeover, saying the properties involved are worth P1.8 billion. However, the court has required Taguig to post a bond of only P20 million in favor of Makati.

Separately, Binay addressed a vote-buying complaint filed with the Comelec over remarks she made during a campaign rally in Taguig on 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,” she said in a statement.

“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 added.

As of Wednesday, Binay said she has not received a formal copy of the complaint or a show cause order from Comelec.