No politics involved in Mayor Binay’s suspension, says Malacañang

Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma says there is no politics involved in the suspension of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay. INQUIRER PHOTO

There is no politics involved in the suspension order against Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall II parking building, according to Malacañang.

Communications Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. said the second suspension order against Binay was within the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Ang pangunahin pong tinutukoy ng ating pamahalaan ay ang kagalingang pambansa at ang kapakanan ng ating mga mamamayan. Hindi po kami namumulitika dito,” Coloma said in a press briefing.

He said Binay should respect and follow the law as expected of an elected government official.

“Mahalaga ang pag-iral ng batas o rule of law. Lahat ng halal at hinirang na opisyal ng pamahalaan ay nanumpa na susundin nila ang mga kautusang legal,” he said.

“Patuloy ang panawagan ng pamahalaan sa pagpapairal ng kaayusan at rule of law upang matiyak ang daloy ng serbisyo publiko,” he added.

On Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman issued a six-month preventive suspension against Binay and 14 other city officials over reportedly anomalous contracts on Makati City Science High School.

Officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government released the order early on Tuesday but were not allowed to personally issue it so it was posted at the entrance of the city hall.

Mayor Binay remained holed up inside his office at the 21^st floor of the Makati City Hall while thousands of his supporters remained on the city hall grounds.