SC to hear Mayor Binay on suspension case

By: Tetch Torres-Tupas - 10 years ago

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Supreme Court will continue Tuesday the oral argument on the validity of the writ of preliminary injunction issued against the implementation of the six months suspension order against Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay.

Binay’s camp will present its side before the high court justices.

The mayor was put on preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman after its fact-finding body recommended that it undergo formal preliminary investigation for graft and malversation of public funds in connection with the overpriced parking building.

The Ombudsman suspended Binay to prevent him from exercising his influence and possible intimidation of witnesses and blocked investigators from acquiring documents related to the case.

But lawyer Claro Certeza said the Binay camp was willing to provide all the documents needed by investigators.

“The COA (Commission on Audit), Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Ombudsman and even the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) are asking for documents and we have provided them what they need,” Certeza said.

In fact, he said they have provided more documents than what is requested by the investigators.

Certeza agreed with the observation of Associate Justice Marvic Leonen that politics is involved in the case.

He said they feel secure with the high court because unlike other venues that resort to mudslinging, the high court would be fair given that it wanted to hear both sides in the case.

Last week, the high court justices heard the side of the government. TVJ