Despite running for office for the first time in 2013 and never holding a political post before, Nancy Binay says that she found the campaign to be “easy.” She wasn’t — and still isn’t — oblivious to the fact that she owes a lot to her dad, former vice president and human rights lawyer Jejomar Binay, and the support the Binay name has cultivated across the decades. And especially at that time when it seemed that the then-vice president was set to be the next president of the Philippines, she experienced all the support a first-time candidate could only dream of. “People were supportive,” she says. “I was really enjoying going around the Philippines. Like during motorcades, I’d ask if we can stop for a bit to take a photo of the Mayon Volcano, kasi ang ganda ng sunset and ng sky. I enjoyed the campaign.”
Then came 2019, when she ran as an independent, hoping to secure her second term as senator. The experience was a full 180-degree turn from 2013. “When my dad lost in 2016, nawala na ‘yong pakitang-gilas ng LGUs,” she says. “‘Di tulad before na may partido kami, who would fix our schedules and organize the rallies. In 2019, I ran as an independent and saw na nawala na ‘yong clout ng dad ko then. So I ended up placing 12th.”
She barely made it back to the Senate, gaining just 221,216 votes more than 13th placer, JV Ejericto. A 1.53 percent margin. She says she owes a lot to just concentrating on her core supporters, those who could deliver her the votes. She credits the North, given that her dad is from Isabela, as she was able to make it in the Magic 12 despite admittedly not making a real effort to campaign in Mindanao. “Syempre Duterte country siya. So I felt I couldn’t get votes anymore in that area.”
“‘Pag mayor ka, whatever you want and whatever you say, that’s what’s being followed. Sa Senate, there’s a lot of give and take.”
Her supporters, which is overall the Binay core, have led her back home as she serves as the new mayor of Makati, defeating her brother-in-law Luis Campos Jr., the husband of outgoing mayor Abby Binay. Barely a week into her new post, she talks about the last 12 years in national politics, what she learned about the job, and her plans for the next three years.
What was the Senate like the first time you won?
Iba ‘yong line of work ng Senate from what I was used to. Sanay ako na paglabas ko pa lang ng bahay, there are already people outside asking for help. Because my dad was a human rights lawyer, and my mom [former Mayor Dr. Elenita Binay] was the “barangay doctor.” Mas direct. Pagdating ko sa Senate, it was more of debates and attending hearings.
What was your experience being part of the Senate minority like?
So 2013, [that was when] they were attacking my dad. So ‘yong first three years ko, in a way, was hell. I would enter the Senate, and I would avoid riding the elevator. I would take the stairs kasi baka may mga colleagues ako na I’ll end up riding with. I remember Senator Tito Sotto told me, ganyan talaga ‘pag mag-pre-presidential elections na. I would hardly mingle with the majority.
2013 to 2016 was too toxic because everyone was looking at the 2016 presidential elections. And then after 2016, nawala na ‘yong burden of a presidential election, so the mindset became to just work and find solutions to the problems we were facing.
I did notice that over time, you became more vocal and more assured when speaking about the issues. When did you see that turn for yourself?
Well, I was raised by my parents not to compromise what I believe in. In 2019, when I ran as an independent [candidate], it gave me the legroom to be more vocal about things because I wasn’t beholden to anybody. In my mind, I have to speak for the people. Whether it’s popular or not, it’s my job to call out ‘pag may mali.
Remember the Senate is a collegiate body. That’s the difference now, whereas ‘pag mayor ka, whatever you want and whatever you say, that’s what’s being followed. Sa Senate, there’s a lot of give and take.
Have you gotten better at the art of compromise and dealing with your colleagues?
Well, there’s always that line, right? Whatever the topic or issue, hanggang dito lang ako, this is my line.
What’s that line for you?
For example, ‘yong Maharlika Investment Fund, I was not really in favor of it. So, as a compromise, I chose to abstain. May ganoong strategy. It was a nicer way of saying no.
“The senior senators told us that in the Senate you have to be civil. In short, dapat makipag-plastikan ka to the max. I did that. And ang bigat kasi hindi talaga ako plastic.”
Since you touched on it earlier, I want to get your thoughts on the Senate recently. Now that you’ve left, and how the last several months—
Toxic pa din!
Exactly.
So, in my first three years, the senior senators told us that in the Senate you have to be civil. In short, dapat makipag- plastikan ka to the max. I did that. And ang bigat kasi hindi talaga ako plastic. So, I made the effort to be collegial. This time around, since paalis naman na ‘ko, parang wala ng ganoong effort.
What did you learn most from your time in the Senate?
‘Yong natutunan ko in the Senate is you still need to be guarded because at some point, pwede kayong magkaibigan today, and tomorrow, opposite sides na.
Is it a relief that you’re out of the Senate?
It’s really a relief for now. Iba rin ang workload [as mayor] compared to the Senate. ‘Yon naman ‘yong adjustments ko here.
What’s the first week or weeks like since becoming mayor?
The last time I entered this building was nine years ago. I’m shocked na ganito na ‘yong istura niya.
In a good way or in a bad way?
Medyo in a bad way. Coming from my training na kailangan maayos, presentable, ito medyo napabayaan. From the outside, maganda, but on the inside, hindi siya nag-level-up.
Read the rest of the story in The State of Affairs issue of Rolling Stone Philippines. Order a copy on Sari-Sari Shopping, or read the e-magazine now here.
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