The camp of dismissed Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay on Friday questioned the supposedly suspicious timing of the Ombudsman’s order to dismiss the former from service and disqualify him from holding any public office over the controversial Makati parking building.
Binay’s lawyer Atty. Claro Certeza expressed doubts as to why the order came just days before the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy
for the 2016 elections.
“Ang tingin ko ‘yun ang gusto nilang gawin—kapag si Mayor Junjun eh magfile ng COC, eh wala pang eleksyon mate-technical na siya,” Certeza said over Radyo Inquirer 990AM.
READ: Ombudsman orders dismissal of Junjun Binay
Certeza said the order was also meant to damage the presidential bid of Binay’s father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is also facing corruption
allegations over anomalous deals when he was still Makati mayor.
“Ito rin ang paraan para ang kanyang ama eh mabahiran ng kontrobersiya,” Certeza said.
In a separate interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Certeza said the timing will negatively impact both the Vice President and his son.
“The Ombudsman is more concerned with propagating this resolution to the media than to the parties themselves,” he said. “It’s an indirect way of
attacking and destroying the credibility of the Vice President.”
Saying that their camp has already presented all evidence to the Ombudsman, Certeza maintained that there were no grounds to dismiss the younger Binay.
“Kailngan talagang suriin ‘yang reso na ‘yan para tayo ay maliwanagan ano ba talaga ang batayan,” Certeza said, noting that they have yet to receive a copy of the order.
“Lalung-lalo nang walang batayan na ma-forfeit kung ano mang benepisyo meron siya. Hayaan n’yo munang mabasa ko ang resolution,” he added.
Citing grave misconduct and dishonesty, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the dismissal of Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II. She also ordered Binay’s perpetual disqualification from office and forfeiture of his retirement benefits.
Certeza said their next move was to go to the Court of Appeals, “but the problem is the decision is immediately executory.”
“Pag-aaralan ko muna kung kailangan mag-file ng motion for reconsideration o derekta na akong mag-appeal sa mataas na hukuman,” he said.