BINAY HIMSELF calls Ibay an "ex-future mayor," referring to Ibay's failed mayoralty bid in the previous election. He dismisses the full-page ads as Ibay's attempt at getting media attention to boost his candidacy as congressman of Makati's first district, now being held by Rep. Teodoro 'Teddy Boy' Locsin Jr. He also scoffs at Brillante's aggressive efforts to pin him down on corruption, saying the cases are a product of city hall's novel programs that do not fall under current government accounting practices. Binay cites as an example his program to provide breakfast and lunch to city hall employees as an incentive.

In October last year, Binay, along with his vice mayor, Ernesto Mercado, and all Makati councilors, were handed a 60-day preventive suspension order for allegedly padding the city payroll with over a thousand "ghost employees" in connection with one of the cases filed by Brillante. Within hours, however, hundreds of people, including former President Aquino, arrived to show support for Binay. The Makati mayor had been at the forefront of protests against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and the suspension was seen as political harassment by the Palace.

A temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals stopped the implementation of the preventive suspension. But the suspension order may have been a blessing in disguise for Binay. Aside from Aquino, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona and his other MABINI friends who had been inactive in the post-Edsa 1 years showed up. Their mere presence boosted his public image and helped portray him as an oppressed oppositionist.

And while some may want to see a new Makati chief executive, the plan to pit Lapid against Binay may backfire and solidify support for the latter, as well as for his children.

Monsod, who admits to never having voted for Binay, says she may vote for him this time, if there are no alternatives other than Lapid. (This was before someone named Elias Olalia, a virtual unknown, filed his candidacy for mayor of Makati.)

"There's no question about it," she says. "In terms of serving the poor, this guy (Binay) does it. That's why he's unbeatable." Monsod notes that like Binay, Lapid faces questions about his wealth and is trailed by accusations of corruption while he was governor of Pampanga. "But at least Binay has worked for good public schools, the health card, and benefits for senior citizens," argues Monsod. "That's why despite allegations that he is kurakot (corrupt), they forgive him."

Observers say, however, that Binay may have to wait until 2010 before he finally gets his wish to see at least two of his children in Makati's top electoral posts. But that would not mean the veteran mayor would let go of politics. Although he may eventually leave city hall to his son — or daughter — Binay may gun for a Senate seat, says Ibay. Binay himself says that he sees his appointment as Makati OIC as part of his destiny, and a post higher than CEO of Makati, he says, is again "a matter of destiny."

His wife Elenita probably didn't consider being mayor her destiny, since she has sworn off politics. She also faces allegations of graft. But Jojo Binay thinks there are still other members of his family who would go into politics.

"Siguro iyong mga apo ko (Perhaps my grandchildren)," he says. "Inaasam-asam ko na may mga magpapatuloy ng mga adhikain ko (I am hoping that someone among them would continue what I have started."