No politics involved in Mayor Binay’s suspension, says Palace

Makati Mayor Junjun Binay (Facebook photo)

MANILA — The Palace on Tuesday denied the involvement of politics in the issuance of another suspension order against Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, appealing to him to follow the rule of law to prevent the disruption of public service in the city.

“Patuloy ang panawagan ng pamahalaan sa pagpapairal ng kaayusan at rule of law upang matiyak ang daloy ng serbisyo publiko,” Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. told reporters during a press briefing in Malacañang.

Coloma emphasized that the rule of law must prevail, as all elected and appointed officials have vowed to observe the law.

He explained that it is the Office of the Ombudsman’s duty to charge erring public officials and issue preventive suspension orders, resulting from administrative charges against government officials.

Asked to comment on allegations that the administration is harassing the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Coloma responded, “Ang pangunahin pong tinutukoy ng ating pamahalaan ay ang kagalingang pambansa at ang kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi po kami namumulitika dito.”

The younger Binay received a second suspension order from the Ombudsman over allegations of overpricing in the construction of the Php1.3-billion Makati City Science High School building.