Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay speaks at a briefing at the Makati City hall on Monday. The Office of the Ombudsman has approved the preventive suspension of Mayor Binay and other Makati officials over the construction of the Makati Science High School building. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Malacañang on Tuesday called on Makati Mayor Junjun Binay to follow the suspension order issued against him by the Office of the Ombudsman for his supposed involvement in anomalies in the construction of a Makati Science High School building.
At a press briefing, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. denied accusations from Vice President Jejomar Binay’s camp that his son’s suspension is just a political attack on their family.
“Ang pangunahin pong tinutukoy ng ating pamahalaan ay kagalingang pambansa at ang kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi po kami namumulitika dito,” Coloma said.
He also reminded Mayor Binay that he is required to follow the rule of law.
“Mahalaga pag-iral ng batas o rule of law. Lahat ng halal at hinirang na opisyal ng pamahalaan ay nanumpa na susundin nila ang mga kautusang legal,” Coloma said.
“Patuloy ang panawagan ng pamahalaan sa pagpapairal ng kaayusan at rule of law upang matiyak ang daloy ng serbisyo publiko,” he added.
Coloma further told the Binay camp that Ombudsman has the authority to suspend government officials allegedly involved in supposed anomalies.
“Bahagi ng tungkulin ng Office of the Ombudsman ang pagsisiyasat sa mga umano’y katiwalian sa pamahalaan at gumawa ito ng kaukulang hakbang na naaayon sa mandato nito kabilang na ang pagbaba ng preventive suspension order patungkol sa pagtatayo ng Makati Science Building,” the Palace official said.
On Monday, the Ombudsman announced that it has approved the six-month preventive suspension of Mayor Binay and 14 other officials of the Makati City government facing administrative charges over the alleged irregularities in the construction of a ten-storey building in Makati Science High School.
The Department of Interior and Local Government served the suspension order earlier in the day, but Mayor Binay refused to leave the city hall as he seeks relief from the Court of Appeals.
At a separate press briefing, Interior Secretary Mar Roxas told Mayor Binay to stop the “drama” and to just temporarily step down from office. (MNS)