2001 Makati local elections

Former MMDA chairman and PDP–Laban president Jejomar Binay sought a mayoral comeback in place of his wife, the incumbent mayor Elenita Binay as the candidate of PDP–Laban. He selected former councilor and 1998 vice mayoralry candidate Ernesto Mercado as running-mate. Binay faced incumbent Vice Mayor and actor Edu Manzano, who joined Lakas–NUCD with selection of city councilor Robert Dean Barbers as running mate. Barbers is the son of then-Senator Robert Barbers.^[1]

There are rumors spreading that Binay's camp offered Manzano to back-out of race, with estimated amount of ₱50 million. In those rumors of offering him to back-out, Manzano did not disclose the amount, while Binay pointed out that Manzano was the one who wanted to join their slate backed by PDP–Laban. If ever Manzano wants to join them, they can't give him a spot, especially when the party's stalwart and former Cory Aquino's speechwriter Teddy Boy Locsin is running for the 1st district.^[1]

Nemesio "Toro" Yabut III, the incumbent mayor's opponent in 1998 election, supported former mayor Binay's candidacy.^[2]

Makati is also welcomed some senatorial candidates from both camps. The LDP-Puwersa ng Masa’s candidates who came to the rally were Jamby Madrigal, Santanina Rasul and Orlando Mercado. The People Power Coalition have incumbent senator Sergio Osmena III, and longtime Makati City congressman and senatorial candidate Joker Arroyo were also there.^[3]

Binay's camp was the one who have been favored to win the election, while Manzano's slate still confident that they can still win.^[4] There are also tirades, as said by Binay that the opposition did not have any comprehensive program of government, and is instead waging "a campaign of lies and character assassination" against him. Binay blasted the opposition against him by saying that Makati citizens knows difference between performance and puro porma lang. Puro porma lang that Binay saying that Manzano was only using his "popularity" as an actor.^[4]

Iglesia ni Cristo endorsed Binay and Mercado, with the whole slate (including Rico J. Puno), but Manzano shrugged it off as the religious sect did not endorsed him in his 1998 vice mayoral campaign. Manzano also said that letting the people decide of election rather than of a vote bloc endorsement is better.^[5]

Both camps pointed each other that they doing vote buying and violation election laws. That issue promoted Makati police to interfere.^[5]

Incumbent mayor Elenita Binay opted not to seek re-election. Her husband, former mayor Jejomar Binay, won against incumbent Vice Mayor Edu Manzano.^[6][7][8]

Former councilor and vice mayoral candidate Ernesto Mercado won against 1st District councilor Robert Dean Barbers.^[8]

Incumbent Joker Arroyo is term-limited and has decided to run for senator. Journalist Teodoro Locsin Jr. won against former MTRCB chairperson Armida Siguion-Reyna.^[8]

Butz Aquino won his re-election bid against lawyer and 2nd District Councilor Ana Luz Cristal-Tenorio.^[8]

All sixteen candidates of Binay-Mercado slate won the city council seats, eight per district.^[8]