MANILA, Philippines - A word war between Makati Vice-Mayor Ernesto Mercado and Councilor Jejomar Erwin Binay continued to heat up as both camps traded barbs on who abandoned the other in the race for the mayoralty of Makati City.

In an interview on ANC's "Headstart", Mercado claimed that Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay withdrew support for his candidacy out of fear he might not give way to another Binay in the 2014 elections.
But the younger Binay claimed it was Mercado who broke ties first when the latter started talking to their political opponents and assembled a lineup of candidates as early as October 2009.

"This is arrogance of power. Maybe he feels he has the money to run. Kung logic lang, this will not be favorable for us," he said, noting that he was still in mourning after the death of his wife last August.

Mercado said it was illogical for him to seek the mayoral post on his own since support from the incumbent Mayor and vice-presidential candidate Binay could ensure his victory in the elections.

"Pag sinuportahan ako ni Binay, sigurado mayor na ako, magpapakahirap ba ako na ganito? Ang paliwanag dyan, nasa kama ako ng Binay, nasisiraan ba ako ng bait para bumaba sa sahig? Kung ako ba'y di iniwan ng suporta ako ba'y lalaban sa kanila?" he said.

He said he severed his ties with the Binays after receiving a document last November showing that the mayor was endorsing his son to run in the May elections.

The two also clashed on the issue of prostitution in Makati, with Mercado claiming that the younger Binay was the protector of 2 bars that were actually prostitution fronts. Binay, however, denied the allegation, which he said was nothing but hearsay.

The councilor said he is ready to take over his father's place. He said he is well qualified for the job, having studied in the country's top universities and serving as city councilor for the past 17 years.

Mercado, on the other hand, promised to remove gambling and prostitution activities in the city.

Aside from Mercado and Binay, the other candidates for mayor of Makati are Erwin Genuino, son of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Ephraim Genuino; former senator Agapito “Butz” Aquino and Edmund Tagalog.