The Binay road to power Posted by Joe America on September 14, 2014 Let me move this article to the front of the line because I think it is important considering the dueling going on now between those trying to make visible Vice President Binay’s alleged shenanigans as mayor of Makati, and those seeking to obfuscate and bury the conversation. I come neither to praise nor bury Caesar, but to elaborate upon his methods. Well, and to opine, of course. That’s the job description. The idea of sister cities is a warm and fuzzy idea, isn’t it? Cities bonding together in friendship to share successes and help in need? Get rid of that notion fast. The Binay dynasty has built an empire that is nothing less than the framework for a shadow national government, ready to take charge of the country and run it the old-fashioned way, with power and favor at the helm. The empire is built on a huge nation-wide network of sister cities. The count of sister cities, or LGU’s (encompassing provinces, cities and municipalities), 334 was Makati’s tabulated at in 2012, with some 235 additional LGUs in line to sign up (“Bacolodnons can avail Makati’s hospitalization, scholarships“). The current number is unknown as the Makati web site is silent on this enterprise. Makati, a city ruled by the Binay clan, is the center of this shadow national government. We are learning from Senate subcommittee hearings that Makati is ruled by the traditional methods of power and favor . . . and corruption. That presumes we believe the witnesses testifying before the Senate subcommittee. Color me presumptuous, along those lines. Well, it looks to me like the mayors of sister cities are selling the sovereignty of their provinces, cities and municipalities down the river by subordinating their communities to the Binay clan. The testimonies of allegiance coming from the mayors are downright unnerving. Here’s what Tagbilaran’s Mayor Dan Neri Lim wrote on July 18, 2009, celebrating his city’s “elevation” to sisterhood with Makati: “Just as it is an honor for Tagbilaran to be elevated as a Sister City of Makati, even more so it is an honor for me to affix my signature beside a man who is destined for higher calling in our country. Makati is fortunate to have Mayor Binay at the helm for virtually its entire post-Edsa existence. To a lesser degree, Tagbilaran is fortunate for the special concern that Mayor Binay is giving it. Hopefully, we will remain special in his heart even when he will already have the entire country for his constituency.” What would entice a Mayor to bow in complete civic obeisance to Mayor Jejomar Binay? o·bei·sance, ōˈbāsəns, noun. Definition: deferential respect. Usage: “They paid obeisance to the prince.” Synonyms: respect, homage, worship, adoration, reverence, veneration, submission, deference. [Google] Three Binay strategies Jejomar Binay seems obsessed with becoming president. It has been his goal for 20 years. His family members line up perfectly behind him. Public opinions are irrelevant. This is destiny. In a different era, he would be an emperor in waiting. The sister city program is only one element of a well-thought out and well funded election plan. Here are three specific programs that we can witness from Binay deeds: Capture major elements of the national press: the Binays get exceptionally favorable coverage and avid defense of their capabilities and promise from the Philippine press. Whole newspapers as well as specific reporters and columnists are loyal to the Vice President. The rumor is that some reporters and columnists are paid to put out stories favorable to the clan. It’s like NSA turned inside out, a network of undercover disinformation pros. Sister city program: a national network of favors granted and debts owed. Is it any wonder how and why a woman of absolutely no qualification and skill was swept into the senate in 2013, or how Jejomar Binay holds a popularity rating that defies the problems surrounding him? We’ll elaborate on this below. Build a coalition based on popularity, not skill: Jejomar Binay is a schmoozer, a buddy, a pal to many. He welcomes Manny Pacquiao to his party to run for senator. He touts Jinggoy Estrada for Vice president. Why? Because Pacquiao and Estrada, like the Romualdezes of Tacloban or Arroyos of Pampanga, can bring in huge numbers of votes. Their popularity overrides capability . . . and shame. Binay has no qualms about associating with incompetent or stained people if there is benefit to doing so. The Binay clan is not just an ordinary trapos (traditional politicians) family, the clan EXCELS at the fundamentals of power and favor. The family positively reeks of privilege, coming down hard on security guards doing nothing more than their assigned job and always, always projecting an attitude of entitlement. Senator Nancy Binay is at the legislative helm, a certified green and unaccomplished senator who is the darling of a pandering press. To an outside observer, this looks a lot like royalty in the making. How are favors granted, in exchange for debts owed? In its softest sense, this is done through small kindnesses. Take the case of the 2012 “Foundation Day” celebration with 1,852 delegates from 356 sister cities meeting at the World Trade Center. Here’s an excerpt from the Interaksyon article about the event: “The city government of Makati has been establishing ties with local governments from the time that Vice President Binay was the Mayor to foster sharing of best practices and economic and social assistance with each other. . . . Makati offers assistance that would enhance the literacy rate of students from sister LGUs, such as computer units and books. Mayor Binay has announced that qualified students from sister LGUs will be given scholarship at the Makati Science High School upon the completion of its new building. He said that qualified students will also be given a stipend and accommodation inside the school campus. . . .“Constituents of our sister LGUs can also avail of medical services offered by Ospital ng Makati,” he [Mayor Binay] said.” I wonder if the son of the mayor of a sister city would qualify for a Science High School scholarship. You think? Now there is also a hard way, an illicit way, that favors can be extended, and debts created. Cash in envelopes works nicely. Ask former Vice Mayor Mercado of Makati about that. He says he received cash envelopes for about 20 years. And he was a good boy until September 12, 2014, when he spilled the beans at a Senate sub-committee hearing. One must ask, really, what does Makati get from all the alliances? There are best practices in several hundred sister cities that Makati can draw from? Never mind that Makati is the richest, most modern and developed city in the Philippines. Makati officials are proud of their accomplishments and like to share their success stories? It is strictly magnanimous generosity? “We have a couple of billion pesos laying around and thought you might want to use some.” Makati’s citizens can’t fill the city’s hospitals and schools, so excess space might as well be given to others? Makati’s citizens like paying for health care and education for citizens of other cities? It is a network of favors granted . . . by Makati officials. . . and debts owed . . . to Makati officials? You may pick the real rationale for the broad sister city program. But before you do, read the sense of indebtedness expressed by Bacolod’s Mayor Evelio Leonardia upon accepting the sister-hood agreement: “We are so honored and we will live up to the expectation of this sisterhood agreement. (Binay) mentioned the hospitalization and scholarship but I am not ready to counter that this time. But to establish the relationship, we will accept those offers.” The potential for corruption, ala the Mafia families It is instructional to look at Mafia families in Italy and the United States to understand how networks, based on power, favor and crime, became so successful. It is the same organizational framework that drug dealers use around the world. There are four important components to the organization: A powerful family A wide-ranging business enterprise (used to launder cash, for example) A system of favors granted and debts created The overlay of crime on legitimate businesses as a shadow enterprise Let’s look at the Binay family in the context of what we are hearing about how Makati was run during Jejomar Binay’s term, and put it together with an extensive network of sister cities. Here’s what we have: A powerful family A wide-ranging civic enterprise (sister cities) A system of favors granted and debts created The alleged overlay of crime on legitimate civic activities as a shadow enterprise. It takes little extension of imagination to believe that sister city mayors are tangibly rewarded for their obeisance. Cash is a wonderful medium, eh? No receipts, no computer records, very tangible when received. The power of local endorsements I wonder if local citizens realize what sister city status means in terms of their city conceding direction to external interests. Makati has delivered favors to their elected officials . . . and debts have been created, whether soft or hard. Hard means a Binay endorsement is made during elections. Harder yet is vote buying. “There is no such thing as a ‘free’ lunch.” Scholarships at Makati schools and access to Makati hospitals do not come without attached expectations. How the plan may break down The Binay plan to reach the Palace can break down with broader awareness of what is happening: When news publishers, reporters, and columnists are named and shamed for being pawns. When their professional reputation is placed in jeopardy. When citizens of sister cities demand independence from a corrupt Makati and outside interference in their own elections. When people start to turn away from a Binay association because they do not want to be stained themselves. We see some pressure being applied on media through a growing number of “name and shame” articles. The Senate inquisitors are making sure the headlines are shockeers. It is hard for the press to bury the story. The Binay media strategy is being rebutted. We also see people starting to turn away from the Vice President. He is likely finding it very difficult to identify a reputable vice presidential candidate to accompany him on his 2016 presidential run. But we don’t see much visibility to the sister city program which is the core strength of the Binay clan’s popularity and vote-gathering prowess. I think local citizens need to go be aware of whether or not their community is attached to the Makati way of doing business . . . and in obeisance to Jejomar Binay. My province, Biliran Province, is a sister LGU of Makati. That doesn’t surprise me, as the operating methods are similar. Also, the municipalities of Almeria, Kawayan and Caibiran are sisters. Only the major municipalities of Naval and Biliran are not obeisant. The upshot is that over half the entire voting population will be urged . . . softly or hardly . . . to vote for Jejomar Binay. He would likely dominate here. I reckon (Americanism derived from the old wild west) . . . I reckon it would be wise for political opponents of Mr. Binay to start working to break these sister city allegiances. Name them, shame them. Ask them why they have sold their government’s integrity . . . nay, their COMMUNITY’S integrity . . . to Jejomar Binay. Be not anxious about what you have, but about what you are. - St. Gregory the Great
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 03:23:41 +0000
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