Elenita Binay

Elenita "Ellen" Sombillo Binay (born Elenita Gabriel Sombillo; November 9, 1943) His father also owned a construction company, while her mother had an embroidery export business. Having been orphaned early, she worked 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.

Political career Elenita Binay, though employed as a medical practitioner, ran and won as mayor of Makati after her husband Jejomar Binay vacated the post due to term limits. She became the first female mayor of Makati, serving from 1998 to 2001. She chose not to seek re-election in 2001, allowing her husband to run for mayor again.

Corruption charges 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 overpriced by . Binay was acquitted of two charges in 2021.

Binay faced charges of plunder, graft, and malversation for the purchase of 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 January 2024, which cited the prosecution's failure in proving her guilt beyond reasonable doubt; two of her co-accused were otherwise convicted by the court.

Electoral history

Personal life Elenita Sombillo met human rights lawyer Jejomar Binay while she was working at the José R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, with Binay then representing 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. They have five children: Maria Lourdes Nancy (Nancy, born May 12, 1973), married to Jose Benjamin Angeles, with four children Mar-len Abigail (Abby, born December 12, 1975), married to Luis Jose Angel Campos Jr., with one child (Martina) Jejomar Erwin Jr. (Junjun, born July 12, 1977), married to Patricia Sandejas, previously a widower of Kennely Ann Lacia, with four children (Jejomarie Alexi, Maria Isabel, Jejomar III, and Maria Kennely) Marita Angeline (Anne, born May 12, 1979), married to Don Alcantara, with four children Joanna Marie Blanca (born November 22, 1988)