Senator Nancy Binay admitted Saturday, October 9, considering the possibility that two members of their family would occupy seats in the Senate after the May, 2022 elections.
Binay disclosed that she and her father, former vice president Jejomar "Jojo" Binay, spoke about the matter before the latter decided to run for senator.
"Nagbabalak pa lang siya kung tatakbo siya o hindi bilang senador, tinanong na niya ako kung okay lang ba sa akin na if ever na tumakbo siya at manalo sya ay magiging magkasama kami sa Senado (When he was still thinking on whether or not to run for senator, he asked me if I would be okay that, if ever he runs and wins, we will be colleagues in the Senate)," Binay said in an interview over radio DWIZ.
"Syempre sabi ko 'okay' (Of course I am okay with it). He will be welcome addition sa amin based sa experience niya (to us based on his experience)," she added.
Binay noted that three senior members of the Senate will be graduating next year: Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, who will be finishing two consecutive six-year terms.
"Lalong-lalo na may legal background and experience on the ground, malaking kabawasan sa Senado...tatlong haligi yan, eh (Those three are like the foundation of the Senate, they will be a significant loss, especially they have the legal background and experience on the ground)," she said.
"I think crucial sa Senado na 'yong bagong papasok ay mayroon ding ganoong kakayahan at expertise lalo na sa legislation (I think it is crucial that those who will be elected into the Senate will the same competence and expertise, especially when it comes to legislation)," she added.
She also cited her father's career as a human rights lawyer, besides his experience in the executive department.
"Nakita niya na 'yong kakayahan niya, mas kailangan sa Kongreso (He saw that his expertise is needed in Congress)," she said.
"'Yong ganyang (Such) expertise, together with 'yong (his) experience in the executive, 'yon 'yong maibabahagi niya 'pag nanalo siya sa Senado (those are what he could offer if he wins a seat in the Senate)," she further said.
It would be Jejomar's first time serving as a member of the legislative branch if he gets elected into the "Magic 12' next year.
Nancy said she is ready work with her father, but vowed that she will remain independent of him.
"Pinalaki rin naman kami magkakapatid na independent-minded...Kasi isa sa ini-isyu kapag magkakamag-anak 'yong magkasama sa Senado automatic na dalawang boto, I think sa amin, 'di magiging ganun (My siblings and I were raised to be independent-minded. Issues raised that if relatives both hold positions in the Senate it will be automatic that there two votes, but that would not happen to us)," she said.
"Kasi pinalaki naman kami to use our critical thinking, but I'm sure mas marami naman siguro 'yong same line kami more than sa hindi (Because we were raised to use our critical thinking, but I'm sure we will be of the same line more than not)," she continued.
The former vice president filed his candidacy for senator last Thursday, October 7, under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
He is expected to be adopted in the senatorial slate of the Senators Panfilo Lacson and Sotto, who will run in tandem for president and vice president, respectively.
But the younger Binay, who is president of UNA, said they are still talking with other political groups for possible alliances. The political party has also yet to decide who to support among possible presidential candidates, she noted.
"At the end of the day, tinitignan ng partido kung saan mas may commonality than differences," she said.