RP's 'Barack', Jojo Binay, declares presidential bid

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay has thrown his hat into the 2010 presidential race amid calls from supporters in Zamboanga urging him to rise up to the challenge of becoming the country's next president.

Binay's declaration was made Tuesday morning at Makati City Hall during ceremonies to mark his 66th birthday.

"Handa akong tanggapin ang hamon ng ating mga kasamahan (I'm ready to accept our people's challenge). I'm available as a candidate for president," he said.

Binay added that his decision is entirely based on words of encouragement he has been receiving from all over.

"I'm available and this is response to the clamor I have been receiving," he said.

Asked if his declaration had been given blessings by former president Joseph Estrada, the opposition's titular head, Binay said: "Tungkol kay Pangulong Erap, antabayanan na lang natin kung ano ang kanyang magugustuhan (Let's just wait for President Erap's opinion)."

Binay, who is president of the United Opposition, has served for 19 years as the central business district's chief executive.

He said that should he push through with his candidacy, he would run under the banner of the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban).

Political observers have said that Binay, like US president-elect Barack Obama, could be a "dark horse" in the next presidential elections.

For one, Binay has been called by some commentators as the Philippines' "Jo-bama" (short for Jojo-Obama), due to his dark complexion.

He said Obama's victory is a wake-up call for the Arroyo government since it reflects voters' cry for reforms and change amid bad governance.

Binay said the 2010 presidential elections will likely reflect Filipino voters' demand for change and good governance.

The Makati mayor's supporters in Zamboanga Peninsula, meanwhile, have openly declared their support for Binay's presidential run.

On Monday, at least 40 members of various civic and private organizations in the region gathered in Zamboanga City to sign a manifesto to urge Binay to consider running for president in 2010.

Jericho Bustamante, regional head for "Binay Na!", however, clarified that their movement aims to gather opinion and suggestions from different sectors int he region. He said that this is not an advanced political campaign for Binay.

Bustamante said that whatever Binay did and can do for Makati, he could also duplicate for the entire Philippines. He added that Binay is the only potential candidate for the presidency who sits in an executive position as of the moment. The rest are policy makers. abs-cbnnews.com