BINAY'S CRITICS, however, say these accomplishments do not entitle him and his family to more power at city hall. "No one should have monopoly of power," says Brillante. "It should be rejected in these modern times."

	CORRUPTION is an oft-repeated charge against Binay, but he has so far managed to weather the allegations. [Photo by Jaileen Jimeno]

At the core of the argument, however, are reports and cases of corruption against Binay. This early, his children are being watched for the same reasons.

Saguisag refuses to comment on allegations of corruption against his mayor-friend, saying he is often consulted on Binay's court defense. But Brillante, who saw action in the anti-Marcos activism of the '70s just like Binay and once considered the mayor his friend, minces no words in saying that Binay turned his back on good and honest governance immediately after coming to power in 1986. A councilor at the time, Brillante filed graft charges against Binay in 1988 for alleged payroll padding, illegal disbursement, overpricing, ghost delivery, misappropriation of public funds, and falsification of public documents in transactions amounting to P137 million.

"He's a recidivist," says Brillante of Binay, explaining that every year, the Commission on Audit has adverse findings on city hall's use of funds, mostly on overpricing of goods. He adds that Binay "was not psychologically ready to handle power. It corrupted him."

Brillante warns that with multimillion deals at city hall, and with the incumbent mayor and his wife dragged into cases of alleged corruption, the Binay children may have no good example to follow.

Like Brillante, Councilor Oscar Ibay was Binay's friend during the martial law years. In the upcoming elections, Ibay — now also a Binay critic — admits Junjun's chance of retaining his seat is a foregone conclusion. But Abby he gives a "50-50 chance" in her bid for Makati's congressional seat against Erwin Genuino, the 25-year-old son of Efraim Genuino, chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

The younger Genuino is still a student at the U.P. College of Law. But Abby Binay is also a political neophyte like him. In filing their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections, it was clear what the two young candidates are riding on: Abby was with her father and the Makati Performance Team — councilors and other officials loyal to Binay. Genuino, for his part, was with Senator Lito Lapid, who is running for mayor, and starlet Anne Curtis, who is said to be his girlfriend.

The prospects of having either one sitting in Congress is making economics professor and TV personality Solita 'Winnie' Monsod throw up her arms in frustration. "What awful choices," says the long-time resident of Dasmariñas Village, an exclusive Makati enclave. "What have they done to represent the people of Makati?"

Mayor Binay says, though, that unlike Genuino, his daughter has had exposure in Makati's political circle and with the masses, having handled legal actions against charter change, as well as pro bono cases. And since last year, Abby has been actively doing the rounds of the second district, introducing herself to voters. "But more than that, ang biggest factor doon, is anak ko siya (the biggest factor is that she is my daughter)," says the mayor. "Sapagkat anak ko iyan, 101 percent na iyong plano ko para sa Makati, ay itutuloy niya (Because she is my daughter, it is 101 percent sure that she will continue my plans for Makati)."

He explains he wants his children to follow his trail in "government service," convinced they will pursue the programs he has initiated. "Kung hindi ako napatagal sa puwesto, siguro kung saan-saan din napunta ang aming missions and visions (If I hadn't been at this post for this long, one can only guess where our missions and visions would have ended up)," he says. "But since I was elected and reelected for so many times, my ideas are implemented." He says he supports his children's political ambitions so that Makati would avoid going the way of other local governments: "Bagong hari, bagong ugali (New king, new way of doing things)."

The mayor says it will be easy for him to campaign for his children as president of the United Opposition (UNO). "As head of our slate, I will have the longest speech on stage," he says.

BINAY, HOWEVER, admits that it is his unico hijo — his only son — Junjun, who is his choice as successor at city hall. "Junjun already has a wide experience in local politics," he says. "Number one councilor pa nga iyon."

The problem is that despite his more than 10 years of experience in local politics, Junjun is not expected to win if he runs for mayor so soon. For unlike Jojo Binay who is a veteran slugger in local and national politics, the son has yet to step out of his father's shadow and show his mettle on his own.

Ibay says the city hall's door was wide open for Junjun in 2004, with him as opponent. But Junjun was not fielded against Ibay. At that time, Ibay was the number one councilor and Junjun was number six. It was Jojo Binay who faced — and defeated — Ibay.

City hall insiders say as early as last year, there were plans to field Junjun, who is already married and a father himself, for mayor. But the entry of Senator Lapid, who is allegedly backed by Malacañang, changed all that. Last week, Lapid filed his certificate of candidacy, challenging Mayor Binay.

Brillante, who is now running for Congress under the party-list Sulong Barangay, blames Makati's rich for Binay's political staying power. He says despite charges of corruption against Binay, the city's rich has been silent. "They keep on complaining, but do nothing," he says.

To be fair, Makati's elite have tried to take part in managing the city. This was when Binay was still known as 'Rambotito,' the human-rights lawyer who was a mascot of then President Corazon 'Cory' Aquino's perfumed clique. Conchitina Bernardo was Binay's vice mayor in 1988. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes ran for Congress the same year. In 1992, socialite Nenita Licaros was recruited by Binay to run for councilor. But all three broke ties with the mayor, disillusioned. All three accused Binay of corruption. In 1992, Bea Zobel, matriarch of the clan that owns and controls much of Makati's central business district, campaigned against Binay.

Corruption is an oft-repeated charge against Binay, a dark cloud that hovers over whatever he declares are his achievements at city hall. It is also a festering issue against him this election season.

For several days in March, a full-page newspaper ad placed by the Save Makati Movement reminded the public that there are pending corruption cases against Mayor Binay, his wife Elenita, and several Makati officials. The group, led by Ibay, questioned the Ombudsman's alleged inaction on the pending cases against Binay that include plunder, estafa, and unethical conduct. The cases stem from alleged overpricing of hospital equipment, fraudulent purchases of office furniture, and maintaining ghost employees.

"If you are able to point me an honest official in the country, then puwede nang mamahinga si Diogenes (then Diogenes can rest)," says Saguisag. "He's my client. But if he's not an angel, I'll give you a month to tell me who is."