Court of Appeals to hear Junjun’s plea vs suspension

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay. INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

The Court of Appeals Sixth Division is set to hear on Monday afternoon the application for a writ of preliminary injunction filed by Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay against the preventive suspension imposed on him by the  Ombudsman for alleged corruption.

The preliminary injunction would stay the suspension while the appellate court deliberates on the certiorari petition that Binay filed on March 12 contesting the validity of his suspension.

The court scheduled hearings on Binay’s plea on Monday and Tuesday, both at 2 p.m., with the Office of the Solicitor General representing the government, and a legal team led by lawyer Claro Certeza representing the mayor.

The appeals tribunal earlier consolidated with the suit Binay’s other petition filed on March 17 asking that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, among others, be cited in contempt for supposedly disobeying its temporary restraining order (TRO).

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal has joined others critical of the stand of Morales, De Lima and Roxas that the TRO was moot and not binding.