Makati councilors back Binay as mayor

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA

MANILA, Philippines—Makati City councilors conveyed their support to embattled Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. and maintained that he is still the mayor of the country’s richest city.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Councilor Maria Althea Casal-Uy said that members of the City Council support Binay in exercising his duties as the city’s chief executive.

Casal-Uy said that they are respecting the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) despite pronouncements made by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima that the TRO is “moot and academic.”

“Based on the TRO, Mayor Jun Binay is still the Mayor of Makati. We support his stand of carrying on with his duties as chief executive, and we also intend to continue doing our part as legislators,” Casal-Uy said in a statement made in behalf of the city’s councilors.

She said that the city’s councilors backed Binay because they believe that the TRO issued by the appellate court should be respected.

“We will continue to make laws and policies for the benefit of the people of Makati. We are here because we believe that the rule of law of law should prevail, and the order of the Court of Appeals must be obeyed. This is why we in the City Council of Makati are abiding by the TRO issued by the CA,” she added.

The city councilor said that operations in the City Hall remains normal despite the standoff between Binay and acting mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña.

On Wednesday, the main entrance of the City Hall was closed after policemen repositioned themselves in front of the building.

RELATED STORIES

Ombudsman order vs TRO: So, who is the real Makati mayor?

CA issues TRO on Junjun Binay suspension