World | Philippines

'Makati City's Obama' declares bid for presidency

A local politician has declared his intention to run for the country's president two years from now, apparently thinking Barack Obama's win in US presidential election will rub off on him too because of his own "dark" complexion.

  • By Gilbert Felongco, Correspondent
  • Published: 00:01 November 12, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay bared his plans to run for the May 2010 elections.
  • Image Credit: Supplied Picture

Manila: A local politician has declared his intention to run for the country's president two years from now, apparently thinking Barack Obama's win in US presidential election will rub off on him too because of his own "dark" complexion.

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay bared his plans to run for the May 2010 elections on Tuesday as he marked his 66th birthday.

Hundreds of his supporters braved gloomy weather brought about by a tropical depression and trooped to the Makati City hall.

"I am accepting your challenge to lead this revolution toward a progressive and respected Philippines," said Binay as his supporters chanted "Binay, Obama of the Philippines, for President!"

"Today Makati, tomorrow, the Philippines!" Binay said in Filipino in his speech.

The diminutive Binay had been trying to tap on to the euphoria generated with the recent election of the American leader. At the same time, he is capitalising on his dark complexion to associate himself with the latter.

Supporters of Binay said aside from their dark complexion, the Makati chief executive shares other similarities with Obama. Like the 47-year-old president elect of the US, Binay had also been a civil rights lawyer.

Binay's popularity as a public servant has been largely attributed to his being chief executive of the Philippines' most progressive city, his chief political ally Rep Teodoro Locsin of Makati said.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

More from Philippines

  1. Prime suspect surrenders in Philippines massacre

  2. Philippine massacre probe focuses on Arroyo ally

  3. Philippines toll 52 as more bodies discovered

  4. Philippine areas under emergency rule

All articles in Philippines

More from World

Gulf News
Popular in World

More from world

News Editor's choice