In a statement, DILG Undersecretary Peter Corvera said that the agency respected the latest decision of the CA, but would also seek the Ombudsman’s guidance on the matter.
“Iginagalang ng DILG ang panibagong desisyon ng Court of Appeals (CA) na pumapanig sa hiling ni Makati Mayor Jun-jun Binay na magkaroon ng writ of preliminary injunction sa pagpapatupad ng suspension sa mayor,” he said.
“Bilang isang ministerial agent na nagpapatupad lamang ng mga kautusan mula sa Office of the Ombudsman, ngayon pa lang hihingi na ang DILG ng guidance at clarification mula sa Ombudsman kung paano ipatutupad ng departamento ang writ of preliminary injunction kapag nailabas ito ng Court of Appeals lalo na ngayong meron pang pending na petisyon ang Ombudsman sa Supreme Court,” Corvera added.
Earlier today, the CA has indefinitely extended its temporary restraining order against Binay’s suspension.
“The court hereby resolves to grant Junjun Binay’s prayer for issuance of writ of preliminary injunction enjoining respondents Ombudsman, DILG and their agents and all representatives from enforcing the joint order dated March 10, 2015 and to respect and preserve the status quo before the issuance of the aforesaid joint order relative to petitioner’s preventive suspension for six months,” the resolution stated.
For this extension, the CA ordered Binay to post a P500,000 bond, “which may answer for whatever damages which may be sustained by reason of this preliminary injunction in the event that it is finally decided that petitioner is not entitled thereto.”
Last March 16, the DILG served a suspension order from the Ombudsman against the Makati Mayor. Vice Mayor Kid Peña then took oath as the acting mayor on the same day. A few hours after, the CA issued a TRO against the suspension and said Binay is still the rightful mayor of Makati.
However, the Ombudsman, DILG, and even Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that Binay’s camp should follow the suspension order and told Peña to continue his tasks as acting mayor. —NB, GMA News
