Nancy eyes ‘Embo’ talks with Lani
Outgoing Senator and Makati Mayor-elect Nancy Binay on Thursday expressed willingness to talk to reelected Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano to settle issues arising from a 2021 Supreme Court decision awarding jurisdiction over the so-called 10 “Embo” villages to Taguig.
“Makati and Taguig are neighboring cities. So Mayor Lani and I really need to talk to settle this,” Binay said at the Kapihan sa Senado forum. “We have no issues. We have no problems, so it’s easy for us to talk,” she added, stressing that she wants to put an end to the conflict to avoid affecting residents.
When asked if Cayetano’s husband, Sen. Alan Cayetano, could also attend the meeting, she quickly responded “no.”
“Maybe not anymore. It might be better if it’s just the two of us so there’s no baggage involved,” she said.
During a Senate hearing last year, Binay and Alan Cayetano got into a heated argument over the construction cost for the new Senate building in Taguig City.
According to Binay, her transition team will look into the legal status of the land dispute.
Other matters
She said that apart from the Embo villages, she also wants to clarify other issues with Cayetano, including assets of Makati City which are now under Taguig’s jurisdiction like health centers, covered courts, multipurpose buildings, day care centers, parks and other government properties reserved for public use.
“What’s important is that the services received by the Embo residents continue whether they are part of Taguig or Makati,” Binay said.
While insisting that the structures are part of Makati’s assets, she said she would not mind if Taguig residents use them.
“The structures are already there. Why would I prevent Embo residents from using the facilities?” Binay asked.
Ownership over the disputed properties has long been a contentious issue between the two local governments, with Makati City insisting the Supreme Court ruling awarded only jurisdiction over the said assets to Taguig City.
