Roxas: Binay’s stepping down is ‘triumph for the rule of law’

MANILA — Interior  Secretary Mar Roxas hailed Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay’s move as “triumph for the rule of law.”

“I’m happy that our delivery of services to the people will return to normal. After all, that’s the reason why we entered public service,” Roxas told reporters.

“I thank Mayor Binay for heeding our call to respect the law. The law and only the law should prevail over everybody,” he added.

Binay stepped down from his office on Wednesday and addressed some 1,000 supporters on the Makati City Hall quadrangle.

He said he was temporarily stepping aside while waiting for another temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals on the second preventive suspension order by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“I cannot bear seeing more people get hurt. I cannot endure for us to be treated with violence in the city, that more residents will be affected and services of the city will be hampered. I will, even if it is against my will, leave the city,” Binay said.

Several people were injured when 700 strong force from the Philippine National Police sealed off the City Hall on Tuesday to enforce the order.

“We have to respect the decision of the court but we will assure you that we will not leave you. Our fight does not end here,” he added.