Junjun Binay asks Mar Roxas: Be fair, respect rule of law

MANILA, Philippines—Suspended Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay appealed to Interior Secretary Mar Roxas to be fair and follow the rule of law in handling the suspension order served to him by the Office of the Ombudsman over his involvement in the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building 2.

Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and suspended Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

“Sana naman ay maging parehas at walang kinikilingan si DILG Secretary (Mar) Roxas, at maging pantay ang pagtingin sa kapartido man o sa amin na kasama sa oposisyon,” Binay said in a statement on Sunday.

(I wish that DILG Secretary [Mar] Roxas will be fair and impartial, be it to a party-mate or a member of the opposition.)

READ: Junjun Binay to Mar Roxas: Show some maturity

Binay hoped that that through an impartial process, justice will be served.

The Makati mayor also hit the Ombudsman’s haste in serving the suspension order.

“Kinukwestyon natin ang isang kautusan ng Ombudsman na hindi naaayon sa batas. Kinukwestyon natin ang pagmamadali ng Ombudsman na suspindihin ako at hindi pagbibigay sa akin ng pagkakataon na magpaliwanag,” he said.

(We are questioning the legality of the Ombudsman’s order. We are questioning the Ombudsman’s haste to suspend me and to not give me time to explain.)

He reiterated that the suspension order is part of a plot to prevent Vice President Jejomar Binay from serving the Filipino people “the same way he served the people of Makati: with competence, integrity and compassion.”

READ: Vice President Binay appeals for ‘courtesy’ on son’s suspension

Binay remains to be holed up in his office at the 21st floor of the Makati City Hall. He earlier said that he will not let Vice Mayor Romulo Pena, a member of the Liberal Party, to take the reins of the city leadership.

READ: No CA resolution yet on Junjun Binay TRO petition