Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay spent his first night as a suspended city official sleeping on a sofa.
This was what he revealed to the members of the media on Thursday as he stayed overnight in his office at the 21st floor of the Makati City Hall following an Ombudsman decision placing him and other City Hall officials under a six-month preventive suspension.
He said that he had an “on-and-off” sleep after the suspension order was issued.
“On-and-off, mahirap matulog doon sa sofa eh. Parang dinaanan naman namin ito noong 2006, ganitong-ganito ang sitwasyon natin,” Binay said.
In October 2006, then Makati Mayor and now Vice President Jejomar Binay and 60 other City Hall officials were suspended from performing their duties for 60 days stemming from a complaint which alleged that the older Binay was paying wages of “ghost employees.”
The younger Binay was not alone during his overnight stay at the City Hall as the Vice President also slept in the office.
“My parents, my sisters, were all here. My father stayed with me. He slept here. Namiss niya ata ‘yung old office niya (He probably misses his old office),” Binay jested.
A thousand supporters also held an overnight vigil at the City Hall quadrangle to rally behind the suspended city executive.
Binay said that he has no plans anytime soon to abandon his post.
“Hindi kami aalis dito kasi there is no reason for that suspension order (We will not leave as the suspension order has no basis),” he said.
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