Jojo Binay, 79, is a veteran politician, who served as the 13th vice president of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016. Before entering politics, he was a prominent human rights lawyer and political detainee during the Martial Law era, providing free legal services to others who were also unjustly detained.
In 1986, Binay was appointed by President Corazon Aquino as the officer-in-charge of Makati. He eventually became the longest-serving mayor of the city from 1988 to 1998 and 2001 to 2010. He is largely credited for the city's status as the financial and business hub of the country.
Although he was the early front-runner for the presidency in 2016, he placed fourth in the race, mainly due to the numerous graft and corruption charges leveled against him at that time, some of which remain pending. Since then, Binay has been a vocal critic of the Rodrigo Duterte administration, especially on the pandemic response and policies that he believes signal the “creeping erosion of civil liberties."
Binay’s candidacy for the Senate in 2022 is his second attempt at a comeback, having previously lost in the 2019 congressional race for the 1st District of Makati. His platform for the Senate is mainly centered on the pandemic response, providing assistance to displaced workers, supporting affected micro, small and medium enterprises, and alleviating poverty and hunger. He also supports subsidizing social and health services in line with his pioneering projects in the City of Makati.
Binay is running under the United Nationalist Alliance, which he founded in 2016 for his unsuccessful presidential bid. He is a guest candidate in the senatorial slates of Senators Panfilo Lacson and Manny Pacquiao and Vice President Leni Robredo.
If elected to the Senate, Binay will join daughter Nancy Binay in the upper chamber. His other daughter, Mar-len Abigail “Abby” Binay-Campos, is running for her third consecutive term as mayor of Makati City while his son-in-law Luis Campos is gunning to represent the 2nd District of Makati City once again.
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
1. Pursue legislation to provide assistance for workers, both in the public and private sectors, for small entrepreneurs and sectors affected by the pandemic
2. Immediately propose a Family Care Program for government and private-sector workers that will provide food and cash aid, paid family leaves, interest-free loans and deferment or condonation of housing loans for working parents who are unable to work while caring for their children
3. Provide workers enough cash aid to live during the pandemic
4. Push laws that would restore the dignity of the poor and redistribute economic opportunity
5. Provide additional benefits to family members caring for their elderly parents.
1. Provide support to MSMEs affected by the pandemic, including subsidizing COVID-19 testing of MSME workers
2. Provide tax breaks and cash grants to small businesses
3. Place priority on the creation of stable jobs
Push for free check-ups, hospitalization and medicine for those in need
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Public Office
In 1986, Binay was appointed by President Aquino as the officer-in-charge of Makati. He eventually became the longest-serving mayor of the city from 1988 to 1998 and 2001 to 2010. He is largely credited for earning Makati its cityhood status as its mayor in 1995. During his 20-year tenure as Mayor, he was able to provide socialized healthcare that was groundbreaking at the time, such as the Makati Health Plus or Yellow Card and Makati Heart Card Program, and the Blu Card for senior citizens services.
It was also under his leadership in 2002 that Makati College became the University of Makati, expanding its undergraduate and graduate programs. After completing his first three consecutive terms as mayor, he was replaced by his wife, Elenita Binay.
He served as chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority from 1998 to 2001, until he was elected to another three consecutive terms as Makati mayor from 2001 to 2007.
Binay won as vice president in 2010, serving under President Benigno Aquino III. He concurrently served as “housing czar” or vice-chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and as presidential adviser on OFW Concerns, as chairman emeritus of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, and as chairman of the Task Force on Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Urban Triangle Development Commission.
When Binay launched a bid for the presidency in 2016, he faced several investigations in connection with alleged overpriced construction projects approved during his tenure as Makati City mayor and implemented during the administration of his son, then-Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, Jr.
The probes were triggered by a July 2014 plunder and graft complaint filed with the Office of Ombudsman against the Binays and other officials over the alleged overpricing of the P2.28 billion Makati City Hall Building II, a parking building along F. Zobel Street in 2007. The 11-story parking building was supposedly built for P1.56 billion, the reasonable cost for which was just P798,200,000.00 based on the present construction standards for high-end commercial buildings of the National Statistics Office.
Senator Antonio Trillanes initiated a Senate blue ribbon committee probe over the alleged anomalous project and other reports of misuse of local funds, which was characterized as politicking in connection with the coming national election by the vice president's daughter Senator Nancy Binay. The accused father and son denied all charges, claiming that the cost of the building was justified.
Senator Trillanes and the Binays traded barbs, both during and after the Senate hearings. Trillanes faced two cases for libel filed by the Binays and Antonio Liu, who was alleged by Trillanes to be a “dummy” for Vice President Binay with regard to the ownership of the estate tagged as Hacienda Binay.
On May 28, 2015, the Senate blue ribbon committee released a partial report recommending that the Ombudsman file plunder cases against the Binays and their co-conspirators. The partial report stated that there was a "grand conspiracy" to overprice the Makati City Hall 2 building by at least P1.12 billion to P1.4 billion.
By the time the Senate wrapped up its investigation in January 2016, other allegedly overpriced structures in Makati had been found.
In October 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed then-Makati Mayor Junjun Binay from service and perpetually barred him from government office and shortly after, indicted him, with 22 other persons, for graft and other criminal charges.
On Feb. 19, 2016, the Ombudsman formally brought criminal charges against the dismissed younger Binay over the alleged irregularities in the construction of the parking building. In July 2016, Binay Sr. was charged with graft, falsification of public documents and violation of the government procurement law at the Sandiganbayan, the first criminal charges filed against Binay after his term ended on June 30.
In August 2017, graft and falsification of public documents were charged against the Binay father and son, in their capacities as mayor and councilor at the time of the allegations, and other former Makati officials and private individuals, over the alleged rigging of the procurement processes for the construction of the P1.3 billion Makati Science High School building in 2007.
Father and son also faced plunder and graft cases in 2015 for the alleged fraudulent deal between the University of Makati and the Systems Technology Institute.
Both Binays continue to deny the charges against them, claiming that they were politically motivated.
- Vice Chairman, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, 2010-2015
- Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, 2010-2015
- Chairman Emeritus, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking;
- Chairman, Task Force on Anti-Illegal Recruitment
- Chairman, Urban Triangle Development Commission
As long-time Makati mayor, he led several innovative programs:
1. Makati Health Plus or Yellow Card
2. Makati Heart Card Program
3. the Blu Card
Private Sector
Binay worked as a lawyer before he entered public service. He was a founding member and former vice-chair of the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood Integrity and Nationalism, Inc., the group of lawyers who offered their services free of charge to those who were accused during the Martial Law years and has recently supported the opposition to the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs.
Binay was the national president of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban, before forming the United Nationalist Alliance in 2014 in preparation for his 2016 presidential bid.
He served as President of Boy Scouts of the Philippines in 1994 to 1996, 1998 to 2000 and 2001 to 2016, even amid the allegations involving the sale of a BSP property.
- Founder, United Nationalist Alliance, 2014-present
- Former president, PDP-Laban
- Founding member and former vice chair, Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood Integrity and Nationalism
- Private legal practice
Taught law:
- University of Makati
- Philippine Women’s University
- St. Scholastica’s College
- National Defense College of the Philippines
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Pending Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Potential Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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Graft, falsification and malversation cases
Originated from plunder and graft complaint filed by Makati Councilor Renato Bondal and Nicolas Enciso VI of the Save Makati Movement over the alleged overpriced P2.28 billion Makati City Hall Building II The construction of the 11-storey building began in 2007 when then-Vice President Binay was still city mayor and continued through the administration of son, then-Makati Mayor Junjun Binay In July 2016, the Ombudsman filed four counts of graft, nine counts of falsification of public documents and one count of malversation against Binay, while Junjun Binay was charged with four counts of graft, six counts of falsification and one count of malversation The Ombudsman alleged that Binay father and son, during their respective terms as mayor of Makati, conspired with the other respondents to carry out a sham bidding as well as the overpriced construction of the Makati parking building. The implementation of the project, which was divided into five phases, took place from 2007 to 2013 despite the absence of approved design standards, contract plans, agency cost estimates, detailed engineering and programs of work, among others |
Complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman on July 22, 2014
Senate blue ribbon committee hearings began in August 2014, including: - a November 18 hearing wherein the alleged overpricing of the P1.3 billion Makati Science High School building was revealed - a January 22 hearing wherein Binay was accused of pocketing close to P200 million in the sale of a Boy Scouts of the Philippines property to Alphaland Makati Place, Inc. On May 28, 2015, the Senate blue ribbon committee released a partial report recommending to the Ombudsman the filing of plunder cases against the Binays and their co-conspirators In October 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Junjun Binay from service and perpetually barred him from government office and shortly after, indicted him, with 22 other persons, for graft and other criminal charges Then-Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales also recommended the indictment of Vice President Binay but acknowledged that being an impeachable officer at the time, the elder Binay could not be hailed to court. On Feb. 19, 2016, the Ombudsman formally brought criminal charges against the dismissed younger Binay over the alleged irregularities in the construction of the parking building On Sept. 12, 2019, the Sandiganbayan denied motions of the Binays to dismiss the graft cases filed against them, including motions based on the pending appeals before the Commission on Audit |
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In its May 2021 resolution, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered the continuation of the preliminary conference via videoconferencing as scheduled.
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| Graft and falsification of public documents cases
Four counts of graft and three counts of falsification of public documents were charged against the Binay father and son, in their capacities as mayor and councilor at the time of the allegations, and other former Makati officials and private individuals, over the alleged rigging of the procurement processes for the construction of the P1.3 billion Makati Science High School building in 2007 Allegations include: - six phases of the Makati Science High School building construction were awarded to Hilmarc's Construction Corporation at a total net cost of P1.33 billion, without proper bidding and through the falsification of bidding documents, suppression of information to prospective bidders, and undue haste in the award of the contracts - then Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay entered into a P17.37-million consultancy contract with Infiniti Architectural Works for the design of the Makati Science High School building, also without proper bidding The Binays denied all charges, claiming that they showed the selective prosecution of the Binays |
The Office of the Ombudsman filed charges in August 2017
Formal charges filed before the Sandiganbayan in March 2018 On Apr. 2, 2018, the Binays posted bail, each in the amount of P192,000, to the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division In its June 18, 2018 resolutions, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division denied the motions to quash filed by the Binays |
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In 2018, the Sandiganbayan denied a motion to quash filed by the Binays.
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| Recommended filing of graft cases and administrative complaint for gross neglect of duty
Recommended against then-Boy Scouts of the Philippines President Binay and others over allegations of the sale of the 10,000 square meter BSP Makati property to Alphaland Makati Place, Inc. in 2011, at an allegedly grossly undervalued price of P600 million given that the property was worth at least P1.75 billion, with previous improvements worth P8.43 billion The grant of tax exemption from capital gains tax was also obtained without a request for a Bureau of Internal Revenue ruling for the exemption, and made with manifest partiality and evident bad faith causing undue injury to the government Binay was the BSP president when they sold the property to Alphaland Makati Place Inc. |
The Field Investigation Office of the Ombudsman recommended filing of criminal and administrative charges in June 2018
In a June 3, 2018 statement, the Office of the Ombudsman said that Binay will undergo a preliminary investigation for graft and an administrative adjudication for gross neglect of duty, while three BIR officials will also undergo criminal investigation for graft for exempting the sale from capital gains tax. Several BSP officials will also undergo investigation While Binay is accused of pocketing around P188.98 million from the transaction, which he has denied, the Ombudsman’s statement focused on the undervalued sale |
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There is no publicly available update on the case
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| Charges for plunder, malversation of public funds, graft and violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act
Filed by lawyer Renato Bondal against Binay, Binay Jr. and others over the conspirators’ alleged diversion, funneling and misappropriation of tuition fees, miscellaneous fees and other funds intended for the College of Nursing of the University of Makati, a local state university owned by the city According to Bondal, Binay privatized UMak’s College of Nursing through a joint venture with the Systems Technology Institute in 2004 without proper bidding, and that Binay and his alleged cohorts pocketed about P500 million in kickbacks through overpriced tuition and professional fees collected from the school, funneled through Philippine Healthcare Educators, Inc. Bondal previously filed two plunder complaints against the Binays and other officials of Makati over the alleged overpricing of the construction of several buildings in the city Binay’s camp denied all allegations, claiming that the joint venture project and creation of PHEI were duly approved by the city council |
Filed on Sept. 1, 2015 with the Office of the Ombudsman
The BIR announced in March 2016 that it is looking into the possible tax liabilities related to the allegedly anomalous deal between the UMak and STI, upon receipt of a letter from Sen. Antonio Trillanes urging authorities (BIR, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Philippines Stock Exchange) to investigate the alleged millions in diverted funds |
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There is no publicly available update on the case
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| Petitions for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus
Binay petitioned the Supreme Court to annul the Sandiganbayan’s resolution denying Binay’s motion to refer three criminal cases (for violation of Article 220 of the Revised Penal Code, or technical malversation, and for graft) filed against him to the Regional Trial Court of Makati |
Petitions filed before the Supreme Court on July 7, 1995
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On Oct. 1, 1999, the SC dismissed the consolidated petitions
There are no publicly available reports on the status of the criminal cases subject of the petitions. |
Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIR ordered the seizure of accounts of Binay and the Makati City government in 34 commercial and government-owned banks in Metro Manila to cover unpaid withholding taxes of city employees from 1999 to 2002, in the amount of P1.1 billion
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Bank accounts were frozen in May 2007, and a writ of garnishment was issued
The city government pointed to its payment of a P200 million settlement amount |
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The BIR later limited the freeze order to the amount covered by the tax claim
The Arroyo administration then deferred the suspension of Binay and lifted the freeze order on all but one of the banks holding the LGU’s funds |
| Complaint filed by former Makati Vice Mayor Roberto Brillante and political rival Oscar Ibay over allegations that then-Makati Mayor Binay and co-conspirators had 1,000 ghost employees at city hall
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Preventive suspension order issued by the Department of Interior and Local Government in October 2006
Binay refused to comply and remained in the mayor’s office, surrounded by his supporters, and later sought a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals Another suspension order was issued in May 2007 due to another complaint, 10 days before the 2007 election |
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CA granted Binay’s petition for preliminary injunction in December 2006, barring the DILG from enforcing the suspension order
Suspension was deemed lifted after Binay won the 2007 Makati mayoralty race |
| Graft charge
Complaint filed by the Ombudsman over the purchase of furniture and fittings from 1999 to 2001 for the new Makati City Hall, allegedly overpriced by more than P9 million |
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In October 2006, the Sandiganbayan Third Division dismissed the case for lack of probable cause even before Binay was arraigned, stating that the complaint failed to cite facts showing bad faith on the part of the accused persons
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Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
*As of December 31, 2015, received by the Office of the Ombudsman on May 11, 2016.
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Included in the senatorial lineup of the following tandems:
1. Panfilo Lacson-Vicente Sotto III
2. Leni Robredo-Francis Pangilinan
3. Manny Pacquiao-Lito Atienza
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
As Makati Mayor, he initiated then-groundbreaking programs to provide subsidized social services to constituents, including senior citizens and indigents
During the 2016 presidential election, expressed opposition to the following:
1. Same-sex marriage
2. Divorce
3. Abortion
4. Reimposition of the death penalty
At that time, he supported the burial of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in Libingan ng mga Bayani
1. Human rights lawyer and member of MABINI during the Martial Law regime
2. Since 2020, has opposed the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and in August 2021, joined former Senator Rene Saguisag and other lawyers in filing the 25th petition challenging the constitutionality of the Anti-Terrorism Act, claiming that the law is vague, infringes in the right to due process and violates the equal protection clause
Status
On Dec. 9, 2021, the SC upheld the validity of all but two portions of two provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Senator Panfilo Lacson, author and principal sponsor, has said that the ruling is a win for him and other supporters of the law. Addressing criticism of the measure, he previously vowed dogged oversight over its implementation and said he would join protests on the streets if the law was ever abused.
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
Lourdes Gatan Cabauatan, mother (deceased), public school teacher
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Ma. Lourdes Nancy B. Angeles, Senator
Mar-Len Abigail B. Campos, Makati City mayor
Marita Angeline B. Alcantara, former director of the Office of the Vice President
Joanna Marie Bianca S. Binay
Jejomar Erwin S. Binay Jr., former Makati City mayor
• Program for Senior Executives in National and International Security, Harvard Kennedy School-Executive Education, 2011
• Diploma in Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of the Philippines Open University, 2004
• Masters in Management, Philippine Christian University, 1998
• Joint Services and Command Staff Course, Joint Services and Command Staff College, AFP, 1997
• Top Management Program, Asian Institute of Management at Bali, Indonesia, 1996
• Diploma in Land Use Program, School of Urban Regional Planning, University of the Philippines
• Masters in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines, 1990
• Bachelor of Laws, University of the Philippines, 1967
• BA Political Science, University of the Philippines, 1962
• Doctor of Humanities, Wesleyan University-Philippines (2012)
• Doctor of Humanities, Palawan State University (2012)
• Doctor of Laws, UMak (2010)
• Doctor of Laws, University of Mindanao (2010)
• Doctor of Public Administration, Honoris Causa, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 1992
Government posts:
• Vice president of the Philippines, 2010 to 2016 and concurrently:
- Vice Chairman, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, 2010-2015
- Presidential Adviser on OFW Concerns, 2010-2015
- Chairman Emeritus, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking;
- Chairman, Task Force on Anti-Illegal Recruitment
- Chairman, Urban Triangle Development Commission
• Mayor of Makati City, 1986-1998 and 2001-2010
• Chairman, Metro Manila Development Authority, July 1998-Jan. 20, 2001
• Board member, Laguna Lake Development Authority, July 1, 1998-January 2001
• Board Member, Light Railway Transit Authority, July 1, 1998-January 2001
• Co-chairman, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, 1998-2001
• Board Member, Technological Livelihood & Research Center, July 1, 1998-January 2001
• Chairman, Metro Manila Authority, July 1990-October 1992
• Director, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, July 1990-August 1991
• Governor (concurrent capacity), Metropolitan Manila Commission, March 1987-November 1987
• Director, Laguna Lake Development Authority, June 1987-November 1987
• Director, Light Railway Transit Authority, June 1987-November 1987
• Director, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, May 1987-November 1987
Non-Government posts
• Legal counsel, Office of Manila Councilor Carlos Loyzaga
• Assistant attorney, Deogracias T. Reyes and Associates
• Partner, Binay, Cueva and Associates
• Law Professor:
- University of MakatiPhilippine Women’s University
- St. Scholastica’s College
- National Defense College of the Philippines
• Columnist, "Noted and Sustained," TODAY newspaper
Learn more about this candidate
- Doctor of Science in Rural Development, University of Southern Mindanao (2012)
- Doctor of Humanities, Sultan Kudarat State University (2012)
- Doctor of Humanities, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (2012)
- Doctor of Humanities, Bataan Peninsula State University (2011)
- Doctor of Public Administration, University of Luzon (2011)
| TERM |
DEFINITION
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|---|---|
| Honoris causa | means “for the sake of honor”, an honorary degree awarded to an eminent individual in recognition of meritorious contribution or personal humanitarian accomplishment/s and contribution to the institution and society |
