Mayor Binay: Clarificatory questions should be raised in CA, not DOJ

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) should raise “clarificatory questions” regarding the suspension of Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay in the Court of Appeals (CA) and not in the Department of Justice (DOJ).

On Thursday, Binay’s camp cited for contempt in the appellate court Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales for their “overt acts.”

“How could a justice secretary overturn the ruling of the Court of Appeals? She has no authority to do that?” Binay said in a press briefing at the Makati City Hall.

READ: Junjun Binay wants De Lima, Ombudsman cited for contempt

Interior Secretary Mar Roxas had sought the legal opinion of De Lima after the CA granted the temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by Mayor Binay when the DILG served the suspension order.

De Lima said the TRO had no legal effect because it was already moot and academic. Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña could continue as acting mayor because he was not covered by the 60-day restraining order by the CA.

“What was given was a mere opinion and her opinion should not affect the law,” Binay said.

“DILG should raise clarificatory questions in the Court of Appeals,” he added.

He said the DILG had “gone beyond the directive of the Ombudsman,” citing Roxas and his officials were committing acts beyond the implementation of the suspension order.

“They are not above the law. Why are they doing acts beyond the implementation?” he said.

He said the actions of Roxas, the Ombudsman and De Lima were a “disrespect” to the court.

“They should not think more than the court,” he said.

Asked if they would seek the help of the Supreme Court, Binay said they still had remedies available at the CA.

He also blasted the Commission on Audit for its “outright bias” when it created a special audit team to investigate the allegations of corruption in Makati City.

“Where is the rule of law in this country?” he said.

Binay’s camp on Tuesday cited for contempt Roxas, Renato Brion, DILG-NCR director; Carmelo Valmoria, director of the Philippine National Police-National Capital Region Police Office (PNP-NCRPO); Henry Rañola, director of the Southern Police District; Senior Supt. Elmer Jamias, and Peña.

Binay said the officials defied the temporary restraining order issued against the implementation of his suspension order.