Nancy Binay: Junjun’s suspension part of ‘Oplan Nognog’

By: Maila Ager - 10 years ago

Sen. Nancy Binay speaks to the media on Wednesday regarding the suspension of his brother Makati Mayor Junjun Binay. NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Nancy Binay questioned on Wednesday the undue haste at how the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the suspension of her brother, Makati Mayor Jejomar “Jun-Jun” Binay.

The senator said the suspension was part of the “Oplan Nognog,” an alleged smear campaign meant to derail the presidential bid of her father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, in 2016.

“True enough mas mabilis pa sa ala singko kung totoo nga na nakakuha sya ng suspension,” she said, referring to the Ombudsman’s order placing the mayor under six-month preventive suspension in connection with the allegedly anomalous construction of the Makati City Hall 2 parkign building.

READ: Mayor Junjun Binay ordered suspended for six months

Asked if the suspension was politically motivated, Senator Binay said: “Hindi ba obvious na obvious kasi parang last week lang ang balita e preliminary investigation…”

“Kapag nakita nyo yung history ng Ombudsman, bakit pag kunyari medyo kaalyado nila…May narinig na ba kayong na suspend na ganito kabilis? So for us, kumbaga kung may Oplan Exodus, may Oplan Nognog,” she said.

“Oplan Exodus” refers to the botched Mamasapano operation that left 44 elite policemen dead last January 25, 2015.

“Kung titingnan nyo yung suspension ng Ombudsman, laging ginagamit yan e. Noong time ni President Arroyo ginamit yung Ombudsman para ipitin yung ating Vice President tapos ngayon, parang ganun pa din…” the senator said, again referring to former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

With what’s happening now, she said she would not be surprised if there will also be efforts to go after her or any of her siblings.

“I think yung isang natutunan ko sa ating Vice President eh life is a constant struggle and this is just one struggle na kailangan malagpasan natin,” she said.

But Senator Binay said: “Kung kelangan naming pagdaanan to para lang mas makapagsilbi yung ang ating Vice President eh kaming mga anak nya ay wiling to go through these over and over again.”