Jejomar Binay

Jejomar Binay is a Filipino politician and lawyer who served as the 13th Vice President of the Philippines. He rose from local politics in Makati to national prominence through long tenure as mayor and leadership in national coalitions, culminating in a vice presidential term during the Benigno Aquino III administration and a presidential bid in the 2016 Philippine presidential election. His career has been marked by administrative initiatives in urban governance and persistent legal controversies involving procurement and property allegations.

Early life and education

Born in Paco, Manila to a family with roots in Pangasinan and Iloilo, Binay attended primary and secondary schools in Manila and later pursued higher education in law. He studied at the University of the Philippines, where he became involved with student organizations and legal advocacy, and subsequently passed the Philippine Bar Examination. His early professional associations included work with legal practitioners connected to Manuel Roxas-era networks and mentorship under figures active in Philippine politics during the Marcos administration.

Political career

Binay's political trajectory began in local administration as a councilor and then as Mayor of Makati where he led urban development projects, public housing initiatives, and public-private partnerships involving entities like the Asian Development Bank and local chambers of commerce. He became prominent within regional and national party structures such as the United Nationalist Alliance and allied with coalitions including the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and later the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino in various electoral alignments. During his mayoralty he engaged with national executives including Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on infrastructure and disaster response policies, while Makati's administration interacted with institutions such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and Philippine National Police on urban management.

Vice presidency (2010–2016)

Elected Vice President alongside President Benigno Aquino III, Binay held the vice presidency while maintaining influence in Makati politics and coordinating with national agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development on human services programs. His office interfaced with international partners including delegations from Japan and China on economic and diaspora issues, and he represented the Philippines at multilateral gatherings such as meetings involving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the United Nations. During this term he became a key figure in opposition politics, engaging with leaders from parties such as the Lakas–CMD and personalities like Rodrigo Duterte in the evolving realignment before the 2016 campaign.

Controversies and legal issues

Binay's career attracted scrutiny through investigations by oversight bodies including the Office of the Ombudsman and inquiries in the House of Representatives into alleged irregularities in procurement and property development, notably involving projects tied to the City of Makati and private developers. Formal charges and administrative complaints referenced agencies such as the Sandiganbayan and implicated a network of local officials and contractors, prompting legal defenses invoking due process protections under the Constitution of the Philippines and comparisons to cases involving other prominent figures like Imelda Marcos and Antonio Trillanes. Judicial and political processes saw interventions by actors from Supreme Court of the Philippines jurisprudence and generated public debate involving civic groups such as Bayan and media outlets including ABS-CBN and GMA Network.

Later career and legacy

After the 2016 election and subsequent legal proceedings, Binay continued to exert influence through family members active in politics, linking to dynastic patterns observed in places like Cebu and Davao City where relatives and political allies hold local offices. His legacy is contested: supporters cite urban development achievements in Makati Central Business District and partnerships with financial institutions such as the Philippine Stock Exchange, while critics emphasize governance and transparency concerns highlighted by nongovernmental organizations like Transparency International and investigative reporting from outlets such as The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Binay's political imprint is entwined with debates over decentralization, electoral coalitions, and the role of local executives in national leadership in contemporary Philippine history.

Category:Filipino politicians Category:Vice Presidents of the Philippines