The camp of Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado Sunday said it is anticipating a tight race in the May 10 elections for the city’s mayoral race.

Mercado, who has served as city vice mayor since 2001, is seen as one of two frontrunners for the position to be vacated by long-time mayor and vice presidential aspirant Jejomar “Jojo” Binay.
The other is Binay’s anointed successor and only son, the young Councilor Jejomar “Jun-Jun” Binay Jr. of District I.

“Tingin ko dikitan talaga (I think it’s really a close one),” said Mercado’s spokesperson, lawyer Chito Salud, during an informal meeting with reporters. “It would be the first time that a Binay would face serious competition in an election in Makati.”

Also targeting the city’s top post are Erwin Genuino, son of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Ephraim Genuino; former senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino and Edmund Tagalog.

A survey conducted by Pulse Asia last month showed the younger Binay and Mercado way ahead of the pack, although the incumbent vice mayor himself was only a far second with 17 percent to the councilor’s 62 percent.

But Salud said the competition is much stiffer than what the survey numbers show. “I’ve been asking around; I want to hear it straight from the people about who they want to vote for.”

Although he insisted that Mercado is currently leading in the opinion polls, Salud confessed that it is a “small lead and nothing to be comfortable about.”

“I thought Mercado would pull away in the District II where he hails from, but it is much closer there. I don’t know why. Sa District I pukpukan talaga (It’s neck-and-neck in District I),” he shared.

What it will all boil down to, according to Salud, is Mercado’s experience as a public servant against the “Binay” name.

“It’s a matter of timing. At 31, ready ka na ba talaga? (Are you truly ready at 31?)” Salud asked of Binay Jr. “He may feel entitled to it since Makati has long been associated with the Binays.”