Elenita "Ellen" Sombillo Binay (born Elenita Gabriel Sombillo; November 9, 1943)[1] is a Filipina politician and physician. She served as mayor of Makati from 1998 to 2001. She is the wife of former Vice President Jejomar Binay. She is the mother of former Makati Mayor Jejomar "Junjun" Binay, Jr., incumbent Makati Mayor Abigail Binay, and Senator Nancy Binay.
Elenita Binay | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Binay in July 2013 | |
| Mayor of Makati | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001 | |
| Vice Mayor | Edu Manzano |
| Preceded by | Jejomar Binay |
| Succeeded by | Jejomar Binay |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Elenita Gabriel Sombillo November 9, 1943[1] Angat, Bulacan, Philippine Commonwealth |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (formerly PDP–Laban)[2] |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5 (inc. Nancy, Abigail, and Jejomar Jr.) |
| Residence(s) | Barangay San Antonio, Makati |
| Alma mater | Manila Central University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | OB-GYN doctor |
Early life and education
editElenita Gabriel Sombillo was born on November 9, 1943, in Angat, Bulacan to Faustino Sombillo, a former vice mayor of the said town, and Loreto Gabriel.[1][3] His father also owned a construction company, while her mother had an embroidery export business. Having been orphaned early, she worked at odd jobs like taking care of a relative's poultry, going to the market, and learning to type papers as she was determined to complete her studies. She took up medicine at Manila Central University. She then worked as a resident physician and OB-GYN at José R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center. There, she would meet her would-be husband, human rights lawyer Jejomar Binay, who represented the DT Law Office in the hospital's court case. They later got married in July 1972, just before the declaration of martial law in September.[4][5]
Political career
editElenita Binay, though employed as a medical practitioner, ran and won as mayor of Makati after her husband vacated the post. She became the first female mayor of Makati, serving from 1998 to 2001.[6]
Binay's (and private businessmen Li Yee Shing, Jason Li and Vivian M. Edurise, and Ernesto Aspillaga's) arraignment for graft charges was set by the Sandiganbayan's 4th Division on January 18, 2008. Binay was charged of alleged anomalous purchase of office fixtures and furniture for the new Makati City Hall from private contractor Office Gallery International from December 1999 to February 2000, regarding the acquisitions worth ₱13.25 million overpriced by ₱3.6 million.[7] Binay was acquitted of two charges in 2021.[8][9]
Binay faced charges of plunder, graft, and malversation for the purchase of ₱9.9 million medical equipment for Ospital ng Makati without public bidding during her term as mayor. The alleged falsification of purchase documents in 2000 and 2001 was also part of the accusations. She was acquitted by the Sandiganbayan in 2024.[10]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Elenita Gabriel Sombillo". Geni.com. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Binay-Mercado tandem confident of win". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corporation. March 30, 1998. p. 2. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (March 3, 2016). "Binay takes campaign to wife's home province Bulacan". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
- ^ Torevillas, Domini M. (April 19, 2011). "The VP's First Lady". Philstar.com.
- ^ "Former VP Binay and wife Elenita celebrate 45th wedding anniversary". Politiko. July 4, 2017.
- ^ "Abby Binay". PressReader. March 1, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ GMANews.TV (December 23, 2007). "Sandigan sets Mrs Binay graft arraignment Jan 18". GMA News.
- ^ Ayalin, Adrian (June 10, 2021). "Binay matriarch cleared of graft, malversation charges over 2001 procurement deals". ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Marcelo, Elizabeth (June 11, 2021). "Sandigan acquits Elenita Binay in P45 million graft case". Philstar.com. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Panti, Llanesca T. (January 22, 2024). "Sandigan clears ex-Makati mayor Elenita Binay of graft, malversation". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved January 22, 2024.