Makati City Mayor Mar-len Abigail “Abby” Sombillo Binay-Campos’ family has been involved in the city’s administration for decades, being the daughter of former Mayor Ellen Binay and sister of former Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. Her husband, Makati Representative Luis Campos, and sister, incumbent Senator Nancy Binay, are both vying for the mayor position in the 2025 elections. Her father is former Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay Sr.
As a senatorial candidate, she aims to adopt Makati’s programs on the national level, but has also kept mum on a few national issues.
Current position: Makati City Mayor (since 2016)
Education: BS in Human Ecology, major in Human Settlements Planning from University of the Philippine Los Baños (1997), Juris Doctor from Ateneo de Manila School of Law (2001)
Previous position: Makati Representative (2007-2016)
Affiliated parties: Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas (since 2024), Nationalist People’s Coalition (since 2024), Makatizens United Party (since 2021)
Political Stances
Governance
In an interview after her 2016 proclamation rally, Binay said that it was the people’s choice to elect a member of a political dynasty. “Ang taumbayan ang magdedesisyon kung gusto ba nilang iboto [ako] o hindi,” she said. “Kaya sinasabi ko ang apelyidong Binay, it’s both a blessing and a curse. Blessing ‘yan kasi alam nilang mayroon na kaming naigawa, pero maraming may ayaw sa mga Binay.”
She replaced her brother as Makati mayor after he was ousted and permanently disqualified by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2015 for charges of graft and malversation related to a P2.2-billion carpark project in the city. The former vice president, their father, was also charged in the case.
In January 2023, three people — including two Makati City Hall personnel — were arrested for “fixer” activities. Following this, Binay reiterated the local government’s non-tolerance of fixers, saying, “We will continue to aggressively implement our anti-red tape initiatives to ensure that all transactions with the government are done in a transparent and fair manner.”
In November 2016, anti-corruption group Anti-Trapo Movement filed a complaint against Binay before the Office of the Ombudsman for failing to eradicate online gambling in Makati as its mayor. Makati spokesperson Attorney Michael Camiña, then the city’s legal officer, refuted, claiming that the LGU had closed over 90 illegal online gambling establishments in the past four months.
In an Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas press conference in February 2025, Binay said that no new laws are needed to address the presence of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) after the ban, and that law enforcement agencies must work on implementation instead. “Trabaho na ng kapulisan at ng [Department of Interior and Local Government] at ng Bureau of Immigration na siguraduhin na mag-exit [ang mga POGOs],” she said.
Economy
In March 2025, Binay proposed incentives for companies to hire local residents, especially in the Greater Manila Area’s bedroom communities — communities where people live to work in nearby cities. “Such a policy would create more jobs and increase local economic activity in so-called bedroom communities and address traffic and congestion concerns in Metro Manila,” she said.
Included in her key policy agenda is the removal of taxes on overtime pay and 13th-month pay. “We help spur economic growth by increasing the purchasing power of our workers,” she explained.
Human Rights and Social Justice
Binay’s stance on the SOGIE Equality Bill is not known. Makati City has hosted Pride events, but has not yet passed an anti-discrimination ordinance. She also has not given her opinion on divorce legislation.
She also has not spoken on issues surrounding the rights of indigenous peoples.
Vera Files says that Binay does not agree with the “tokhang-style” approach of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. However, she also supported Makati police’s Oplan Tokhang in 2016, which involved officers knocking on doors to inquire about drug-related offenses.
Healthcare
Binay says she plans to scale up the Makati Health Plus Program and adopt it on a national level. The program offers checkups, free maintenance medicines for hypertension and diabetes, and other treatments for chronic diseases like cancer and diabetes.
She also advocates for drug rehabilitation. In 2016, the Makati government provided support to 64 drug users who surrendered, referring them to rehabilitation centers and counseling programs.
National Security and Foreign Policy
Binay has not shared her views on the United States, China, territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea, and terrorism.
Environment and Disaster Preparedness
The Makati government has established various programs and policies to slash carbon emissions, including installing solar panels in public schools, procuring electric buses, and making Ayala Avenue car-free on Sunday mornings. However, Binay has also emphasized that LGUs must work together to carry out their climate change initiatives. She also said that LGUs must be given stable funding for environmental and disaster preparedness programs.
In November 2024, Binay proposed an automatic loan moratorium for areas hit by calamities or natural disasters, allowing affected residents, fisherfolk, and farmers economic respite.
Disinformation
Binay has not directly addressed issues related to disinformation in the country.
Infrastructure Development
In June 2023, Binay said that the Makati government was formulating a green building code that would give incentives to owners and developers that follow sustainable building practices like “installing renewable energy systems, using water-saving appliances, and incorporating other energy-saving measures.”
Earlier that year, the city government and real estate firm Ayala Land Inc. drew flak after they announced that Ayala Avenue’s protected bicycle lanes would be converted to shared lanes. After a protest from cyclists and other motorists in February 2023, Ayala Land Inc. said that the bike lanes would remain protected and exclusive to cyclists.
Youth and Culture
Binay said she plans to scale up Makati’s youth and education programs. One of these is Project FREE, which provides students with free uniforms, shoes, school bags, supplies, and rain gear. Another program she plans to bring to the national level is Project FEED, which provides students with snacks during school hours. She has not yet proposed cultural programs and policies.
Sara Duterte Impeachment
Binay has not given a definitive opinion on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment. In a February 2025 press conference, she said, “Personally, wala po akong kopya ng articles of impeachment to be able to read the complaint. So, it is very, very premature and unfair to give a position on the impeachment this early.” She added that she had to remain impartial on the subject in case she is elected senator and becomes a senator-judge in the impeachment trial.
Ahead of the midterm elections, Rolling Stone Philippines is taking a closer look at the Top 15 senatorial candidates based on the January 2025 surveys by polling firms Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia.
