Another Binay is joining politics.
This, as Vice President Jejomar Binay's eldest daughter Nancy formally joins the senatorial race for mid-term polls next year.
Less than an hour before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) stopped accepting certificates of candidacy Friday, Ma. Lourdes "Nancy" Binay disclosed it was her only daughter who convinced her to fill the last spot in United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)'s senatorial line-up.
"(I hesitated before because) I am more comfortable working in the background. I had to consult my kids because they do not want me to run and join politics," Binay explained.
"My only nine-year old daughter really wouldn't let me run. But she finally agreed, I took it as a sign to take this opportunity to serve the country. Not everyone has this chance," she reiterated.
Binay, who has four children, has been serving Binay's "right-hand" even during the time he was still the mayor of Makati from 1986 to 1998 and 2001 to 2010.
The 39-year old graduate of BS Tourism at the University of the Philippines also helped her mother when she succeeded the local post 1998 to 2001.
UNA secretary-general and Navotas Rep. Tobias "Toby" Tiangco nominated Nancy to fill UNA's last spot a day after whistleblower Jose "Joey" De Venecia III dropped his senatorial bid on Monday.
Tiangco expressed confidence that Binay has a big chance of winning considering that she has ranked 11th on the latest senatorial survey conducted by Pulse Asia last month without even lifting a finger.
Nancy, who vowed to push for bills and laws prioritizing housing and children's welfare in the Senate, denied her family is trying to build political dynasty in the country.
"At the end of the day, we are here because the people vote for us. We do not appoint ourselves. We are subjecting ourselves to the electoral process. We are a dynasty of servers," she said.
Vice President Binay, who accompanied his daughter at the Comelec, admitted he was reluctant to let Nancy join the race.
"That's why I've been trying to hack him (Tiangco for nominating her) since," the vice president said in jest.
Tiangco disclosed that Binay was outvoted by UNA's executive committee to field his daughter to run for senator in a meeting on Thursday.
"There has also been a groundswell of support for her candidacy coming from sectoral groups and non-governmental organizations nationwide. We cannot ignore these voices," Tiangco said.
Nancy is the current deputy secretary-general of UNA.
Aside from the younger Binay, Estrada's buddy and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn was also considered to fill the slate but he declined after filing as independent candidate on Wednesday.
Fourteen early winners in the party-list race have been named Friday even as the protracted count of votes continues.
