Sunday, February 04, 2007
Lawmaker announces plan to run for Makati mayor
THERE'S no stopping administration Senator Manuel "Lito" Lapid from running as mayor of Makati in the upcoming May 14 elections.
Lapid whose entry to politics was catapulted by his popularity as an action star said his bid for the Makati chief executive post was motivated by his desire to serve the residents of Makati, especially those belonging to the poorer classes.
"I might be lacking in terms of education but nobody can belittle my capacity to serve the people," said Lapid, adding that in that aspect he is equal to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.
Lapid entered politics first as vice governor in 1992 under then Pampanga governor Bren Guaio whom he eventually defeated three years later for the post.
He finished high school at the St. Catherine Academy in his hometown of Porac in Pampanga although during his term as governor of the province, he was given a bachelor's degree honoris cause by the Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC).
In contrast, Binay finished law degree at the University of the Philippines (UP) and become a human rights lawyer later.
Lapid said being a mayor of Makati would be actually an easier job comparing his experience as governor of Pampanga after the province was hit by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 and the subsequent lahar flows that killed thousands of people and devastated the livelihood of his constituents.
"Makati has more funds to spare than Pampanga, yet we were able to rise from the ashes and rebuild the community," he said adding that if he wins in the coming elections, he would prioritize education, health, housing for the poor, and senior citizens.
Asked if his running would scare off investment in the city, Lapid said he has already touch-base with the business community and assured them his administration would remain business-friendly.
He said he would likely limit protests to designated freedom parks in the city so as not to inconvenience the business sector and residents.
Makati, especially the business district, is the center of massive protests initiated by anti-Arroyo groups calling for her resignation amid allegation she cheated her way to the presidency in the 2004 elections.
Although he is a loyal ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Lapid said he has nothing against Binay whom he acknowledges as having done a great job as local executive for the past 20 years but added his running would give Makati politics a fresh air of change.
"I have nothing personal against Mayor Binay but he has been there for more than 20 years. I think the residents of Makati also want change," said Lapid in a press conference on Saturday where he made his formal announcement.
Binay is a vocal critic of the Arroyo administration and is a leading figure in these rallies.
Aside from giving a fresh face to the local politics, he said he wanted to inject the "Kapampangan-style of leadership just like Binay's predecessor Nemesio Yabut.
Yabut, a native of Pampanga, was mayor of Makati until his death in 1986.
Binay is set to run for the third and final term as Makati mayor.
Asked if he was committing a "political suicide" in running against Binay whose programs for health, education, senior citizens and peace and order has become the envy of other cities, Lapid said he knows he is up against a strong opponent but expressed confidence that the residents of Makati would give him a chance.
Although he welcomed the challenge posted by the lawmaker, Binay said his "real opponent" is actually the Arroyos who he said are the one behind Lapid's bid.
The Makati mayor said he is not surprised by the latest development saying the administration would do everything to get "rid" of him from the scene. He said the administration's bid to oust him from the post by suspending him last year on the basis of an unsubstantiated accusation by a political rival "is just one of the tactics used by the administration."
Binay was meted a three-month suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman in October last year prompting a tense stand-off that lasted for several days until he managed to secure a permanent injunction from the Court of Appeals (CA) blocking his suspension. (AH/Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star General Santos. (February 4, 2007 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
