Opposition solon: Binay suspension a diversion for Mamasapano debacle

MANILA, Philippines—A diversionary tactic.

This was how a lawmaker allied with the opposition described the preventive suspension handed to Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay and other City Hall officials for their role in the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said that the timing of the suspension order is suspicious, as it coincided with the release of the results of the Philippine National Police-Board of Inquiry (PNP-BOI) probe on the bungled Mamasapano operation which killed at least 65 people last Jan. 25.

Tiangco said that the suspension of Binay is an attempt to shift the public’s attention away from the ill-fated military operation.

“The timing of the suspension is a diversionary tactic,” Tiangco said in a press conference on Thursday.

“Alam naman natin na lalabas na ang BOI report so ang ginagawa nila pangtapal, pang-divert ng issue, lahat na ginagawa nila.”

(We know that the BOI will release the report so they are doing everything to divert the issue [on the Mamasapano incident].)

Tiangco’s sentiment has been affirmed by his ally, United Nationalist Alliance interim secretary general Atty. Jose Virgilio “JV” Bautista who said that the Mamasapano clash is an example of how the Aquino administration abused its powers.

“The laws of the land and the Constitution are being run roughshod by these officials at the behest of no less than Mar Roxas and the Liberal Party. They are prostituting the institutions of government even at the peril of violating our Constitution.”

“Tingnan mo naman ang bayan natin, nagkakaloko-loko na. Yung suspended na chief PNP (Alan Purisima) siya ang in-charge sa operation to arrest and neutralize international terrorists? Saan kayo makakakita niyan?” Bautista said.

(Our nation is in limbo. A suspended PNP chief was put in-charge to arrest and neutralize international terrorists.)

Bautista lambasted the Senate for its treatment on the investigation of the Mamasapano clash after its reported biased probe on allegations against the Binay family.

“Ang Senado nga, na-prostitute na. Ngayon makikita natin kung makakabangon sila sa Mamasapano investigation. (The Senate has been violated. We will see how they can recover from their Mamasapano probe.) Because as far as we are concerned, that subcommittee that was specially created to persecute Vice President Binay has dragged the Senate in a new all-time low,” he said.