But Jojo's unending crusade against political tyrannies, inequality, injustice, ignorance and poverty has endeared him to the masses of Makati City. Today, Jojo Binay is one of the most colorful, admittedly controversial, but pivotal figures in Philippine politics and government.
BEGINNINGS
Born on Nov. 11, 1942, Jejomar Cabauatan Binay grew up with his uncle, Ponciano, after Jojo's parents-Diego Binay of Bauan, Batangas and Lourdes Cabauatan of Cabagan, Isabela-passed away.
To survive poverty and his harsh surrounding, Jojo learned to rely on his resourcefulness and determination, traits that would serve him well in his later careers.
The young Jojo, barefooted, would go around the neighborhood to gather slop (kaning baboy) for his uncle's backyard piggery, cleaning the street early in the morning, looking after his uncle's fighting cocks and going to market.
As he grew up, Jojo took on more and more odd jobs to support his studies.
Jojo is a product of the Philippine public school system. He studied at the Philippine Normal College Training Department, UP Preparatory High School and despite financial constraints, earned a bachelor's degree in political science and Bachelor of Laws from UP (LIB).
He passed the bar exams in 1968, and took masteral subjects in public administration and law in UP and the University of Sto. Tomas, respectively.
In between jobs and earning degrees, he gave lectures and taught law, political science and public administration at the then Philippine College of Commerce, Philippine Women's University and St. Scholastica's College.
FAMILY
While seeking educational advancement, Jojo pursued the woman who would later be his lifetime partner and best friend. His perseverance paid off and he won the heart of Elenita Sombillo, a doctor of medicine.
Their union bore them five children: Maria Lourdes Nancy, Marlen Abigail, Jejomar Erwin, Marita Angeline and Joanna Marie Blanca.
LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS
While raising a family with his small income from his teaching job and law practice, Jojo gave free legal assistance to poor clients and victims of human rights abuses during the Marcos regime. Jojo's passion for the protection of human rights developed during his student days in UP, where he was a member of the student council and was among the acknowledged firebrands of the burgeoning student movement.
FREEDOM FIGHTER
From the UP campus, Jojo graduated to the parliament of the streets. He could have chosen the air-conditioned comfort of corporate law. Yet he joined the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM), formed shortly after the assassination of Ninoy Aquino in August 1983. He also helped found the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc. (MABINI), a group of progressive lawyers that include the late Senator Lorenzo Tanada, Sen. Wigberto Tanada, former Sen. Rene Saguisag and Rep. Joker Arroyo.
For helping political prisoners, many MABINI lawyers, including Jojo, were locked up in local jails and military stockades.
In February 1986, the Filipino people rose as one and toppled the hated dictatorship.
CORY'S FIRST APPOINTED OFFICIAL
After the EDSA Revolution, President Corazon C. Aquino appointed Jojo acting mayor of Makati. Jojo was Mrs. Aquino's first appointed local official.
Jojo later won, on his own, the mayorship of Makati in 1988 and was reelected in 1992 and 1995.
He was also appointed Governor of Metro Manila in 1987 in concurrent capacity and was later elected by his peers in Metro Manila as Chairman of the Metro Manila Authority.
DEFENDER OF DEMOCRACY
Even after the restoration of democracy, more challenges still lay in store for the former street urchin. Jojo found himself in the thick of action, this time in defense of the newly-restored democracy, during several failed mutinies during the Aquino administration.
Dressed in battle fatigues and armed with a submachine gun, Jojo joined pro-democracy forces in thwarting the mutiny. His active role in the defense of the Constitution earned him the nickname “Rambotito” (or little Rambo, after the screen hero), the Outstanding Achievement Medal and a special commendation from President Aquino herself. CONTINUING EDUCATION
Despite his sterling achievements as a student, human rights lawyer, and local executive, Jojo still took up graduate studies at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP), the Command and General Staff College (CGSC), the Center for Research and Communication (now known as the University of Asia and the Pacific), the Joint Services Command Staff College (JSCSC), and the UP School of Urban and Regional Planning. He was senior executive fellow of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Jojo is also active in civic work. He is the national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, chairman of and an officer of various international organizations. He also holds the rank of colonel in the Philippine Navy Reserve Force.
MMDA
In 1998, Jojo was appointed Chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) with cabinet rank. He was also appointed as Vice-chairman of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission and Traffic Czar for Metro Manila.
A VISION FOR MAKATI
As Makati mayor, Jojo concentrated on improving public services, particularly the educational and health service systems that he correctly considered vital to the development of his beloved city.
With the strong ties between the local government and the residents, Makati, during Jojo's term, became the city with the highest savings in the metropolis. And he made sure these savings went to services that his constituents needed.
In 2001 and 2004, Jojo was overwhelmingly elected as Mayor of Makati, no less than a triumphant return for a man so beloved by his people.
But Jojo Binay's uncompromising defense of truth and democracy has earned him the ire of powerful political forces.
In October 2006, Malacañang attempted to suspend Jojo Binay on flimsy grounds, but the people of Makati and other freedom-loving Filipinos stood by the side of the embattled mayor. After a three-day stand-off at City Hall, the Court of Appeals stopped the Palace from unseating Binay. The feisty mayor then went on to win another round in his fight for truth, after the Sandiganbayan dismissed a graft case filed against him by the Ombudsman for lack of factual basis.
And again, in May 2007, barely a week before Election Day, the Ombudsman suspended Jojo Binay based on allegations that turned out to be supported by falsified statements. Clearly it was an attempt to influence the outcome of the elections in Makati, but the people once again rallied to the side of Jojo Binay and delivered a resounding victory for him and his entire slate.
As the world enters a new millennium, Jojo sees Makati earning its rightful place among the most modern urban centers of Asia and the Pacific. He sees Makati not only as a national capital of finance and commerce, but also as a center for information technology, a hub for Asian tourism, a beacon for culture and arts, and the leader in public services.
Such tasks are not for the faint of heart, or the weak of spirit. Jojo Binay, however, is a battle-tested public servant.
HIGHLIGHTS OF AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS
4TH BEST WORLD MAYOR IN 2006 – Ranked among the top 10 best world mayors in an internet-based search conducted by an organization of professionals based in London, City Mayors; the only Filipino and Southeast Asian on the list.
CEO EXCEL AWARD IN 2006 – Conferred by the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines for communications excellence in the GEAs/GOCCs/LGUs category, particularly for Radyo Makati, Social Marketing Campaign of Makati and Makati Citizen's Guidebook.
DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN 2007 – Conferred by the National Defense College of the Phils. with the NDCP Alumni Association, Inc. for having exemplified the ideals of the college in the field of local governance.
CITATION from the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor and Kalipunan ng mga Samahang Informal Settlers sa Makati (KAISA-Makati), Inc. for his unstinting support to the development of programs and projects that uplift the condition of the urban poor.
FIRST Filipino Boy Scout Official TO RECEIVE CITATION MEDAL FROM HIS MAJESTY KING RAMA IX OF THAILAND - Conferred in 2006 by the Chief Scout of Thailand in recognition of the support and cooperation extended by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines in scouting activities that promote worldwide youth development.
MOST OUTSTANDING CITY MAYOR OF MAKATI AND CONSUMERS ADVOCATE AWARD - Given by the Consumers Union of the Philippines during their 14th Annual National Consumers Award, July 4, 2003.
LEADERSHIP AWARD (PRESIDENTIAL CITATION) - For exemplary brand of leadership, indubitable integrity and chaste execution of duties. Conferred by Alpha Phi Omega International Philippines, Inc. during its Testimonial Dinner on O6 October 2002 at The Pearl Manila, Taft Avenue, Philippines.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS AWARD – Conferred by the Scouts Association of Hong Kong in recognition of distinguished services, March 11, 2002.
PRESIDENT'S SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD - Conferred by the Rotary Club of Makati - RI District 3830 for generous donation to the Makati Environment Foundation and staunch advocacy of fire safety awareness as president of the Makati Fire Safety Foundation. Given on June 19, 2001.
Commendation from PRESIDENT CORAZON C. AQUINO for the arrest of renegades ex-Lt. Col. Victor Batac and Ex- Major Abraham Purugganan. Outstanding Achievement Medal from the Armed Forces of the Philippines for his role in the arrest of high ranking ultra-rightist leaders in Makati on February 6, 1991.
PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY GROUP for his contribution to the defense of Malacañang during December 1-6, 1989.
SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE awarded during the National Defense College of the Philippines graduation rites on July 18, 1990. Jojo Binay graduated with a general average of 1.1733.
SILVER MEDAL FOR BEST THESIS awarded by the National Defense College of the Philippines during its Foundation Day on, September 8, 1990.
MOST OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN ALUMNUS AWARD awarded by the National Defense College of the Philippines, Foundation Day on September 8, 1990.
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