Follow the law and set an example, Kid Peña tells VP Binay

Follow the law and set an example.

This was Makati Acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña Jr.’s appeal to Vice President Jejomar Binay, hours after he was sworn in on Tuesday as the city’s chief executive following the second suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman on Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay.

“To Vice President Jojo Binay, for the second time, I humbly ask [you] to follow the law and respect the orders handed down by the different government agencies,” Peña said in a short statement he delivered at the old Makati City Hall building.

In doing so, Peña said it would set an example to the employees and young leaders in government, such as himself and the Vice President’s son.

Peña, a member of the ruling Liberal Party, first sworn in as acting mayor in March following the Ombudsman’s suspension order for alleged irregularities in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II.

He stressed that the suspension order, this time for corruption allegations in the construction of the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School building, was a way to “protect pieces of evidence inside City Hall.”

He pointed out that his assumption as acting mayor was in accordance to the Ombudsman and the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s orders.

“I was elected Makati vice mayor and along with it comes the responsibility to uphold the law, protect the city and the rights of its people,” he said.

Peña assured those involved in the alleged anomalies that he would be “fair” to them.

“Ako po ay walang reputasyon nang pangigipit. Ako po ay walang reputasyon ng pagiging personal kanino man. At ako po ay walang reputasyon ng pananakot,” Peña said.

He also asked city hall employees for their support, trust and understanding. “This is not for me but for the citizens of Makati.”

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