'Makati City's Obama' declares bid for presidency

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.