Ombudsman: No suspension order yet for Mayor Binay, other Makati officials

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has yet to issue a preventive suspension order against Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay, son of Vice President Jejomar Binay, over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Science High School building.

“The investigation of the Makati Science Building is still ongoing. As of today, no preventive suspension order has been issued in the case,” the Ombudsman (@Ombudsman) said on Twitter on Wednesday.

This developed as Mayor Binay’s supporters trooped to the Makati city hall on Wednesday to show support in anticipation of another preventive suspension order.

The Ombudsman had preventively suspended Mayor Binay on separate charges of overpricing in the Makati City Parking Building on March 11 but this was later stalled by the Court of Appeals.

READ: Mayor Junjun Binay ordered suspended for six months | CA issues TRO on Junjun Binay suspension

A source in the Office of the Ombudsman has confirmed that the Ombudsman fact-finding investigation is completed and the report recommended placing Mayor Binay under preventive suspension.

The source said the findings will have to be evaluated by Ombudsman Morales.

As part of its powers, the Ombudsman may place an accused official under preventive suspension on administrative charges pending the preliminary investigation to prevent the official from using his or her position to thwart the probe.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the Ombudsman probers who conducted the fact-finding investigation recommended graft charges against Vice President Binay, Mayor Binay and other Makati City officials over the alleged rigging of the bidding for the construction of the 10-story Makati Science High School building.

READ: Probers of Makati Science High building recommend graft raps vs Binay

A complaint-affidavit prepared by the five-member team was filed on June 8 in the Office of the Ombudsman.

The fact-finding results will have to be approved by Ombudsman Morales before the Ombudsman can conduct a preliminary investigation.

The charges involved violation of antigraft and corrupt practices laws, falsification of public documents, violation of code and ethical standards for public officials, violation of the procurement act, dishonesty and grave misconduct.

“The aforesaid offenses were committed during the procurement, bid and award of the contracts for the architectural and engineering services and the six contracts for the construction of the 10-story Makati Science High School,” the complaint affidavit said.

Only Mayor Binay and other Makati city officials (except Vice President Binay) were preventively suspended over the administratively charges of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The respondents were also accused of the criminal offenses of malversation, falsification, graft and violation of the procurement law. IDL