Court reiterates Binay can’t hold public office

MANILA, Philippines — Former Makati Mayor Jejomar “Junjun” Binay Jr. has lost his appeal to reverse a court ruling last year that disqualified him for life from holding public office.

The Court of Appeals’ former Eighth Division affirmed its May 2019 ruling to uphold the Ombudsman’s dismissal order against Binay over the P165-million construction contract for phase VI of the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School building.

In 2017, the Ombudsman found Binay administratively liable for rigging the public bidding process in favor of contractor Hilmarc.

For serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, the Ombudsman meted out against the Makati mayor the penalty of dismissal from service and “accessory penalties” that included perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Binay appealed the Ombudsman’s order in the Court of Appeals, which turned him down in a ruling handed down on May 28, 2019.

He asked the appellate court to reconsider, arguing that he “acted in good faith in the performance of his official functions” when he signed the contract documents.