Malacañang kept its distance, on Wednesday, from a Court of Appeals (CA) order to freeze the bank accounts of Vice President Jejomar Binay, saying it has not seen an official copy of the court resolution.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. INQUIRER PHOTO
“We won’t comment first on the CA [resolution] until it is official,” presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a text message to the Malacañang press corps.
On claims that President Benigno Aquino III’s allies were behind the supposed leak of the confidential appellate court resolution, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Palace had not been indulging in “partisan political activity and such allegations are unfounded.”
“[The] administration is focusing on implementing reform and development programs so that Juan de la Cruz may attain a more prosperous life,” Coloma said.
The CA granted a petition by the Anti- Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze the bank accounts of Binay, his wife, son, and other associates totaling P600 million.
But Binay’s lawyer, Claro Certeza, expressed regret that the appellate court’s resolution was reported by media, violating what he said was the confidentiality of the proceedings.
Certeza said that the “respondents,” referring to his client Binay, has not been heard in the proceedings.
The court order, supposedly issued on May 11, was made in connection with the investigations being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman on alleged irregularities in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II, allegedly overpriced by P1.3 billion and the Makati High School.
The Senate has been investigating Binay for allegedly profiting from projects of the city government while still Makati’s mayor. SM