Binay camp accuses LP of controlling Ombudsman

Rico Quicho, spokesman for Vice President Binay. FILE PHOTO BY CATHY MIRANDA/INQUIRER.net

The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Saturday slammed the administration and the ruling Liberal Party (LP) for supposedly controlling the Office of the Ombudsman following the latter’s order to dismiss suspended Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay from office over the controversial parking building.

“Halatang de-remote control ang Ombudsman mula sa simula. At ang LP ang may hawak ng remote control,” Binay spokesperson Rico Quicho said in a statement.

Comparing the case of the younger Binay with administration allies implicated in controversies, Quicho said LP allies like Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad “hardly got a slap on the wrist” for allegedly masterminding the controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program.

READ: Ombudsman orders dismissal of Junjun Binay | What went before: Makati City Hall Building II probe

“The Palace once again misleads the public. The so-called allies that the Palace says were charged by the Ombudsman were mere sacrificial lambs. They are aware that selective justice will be an election issue so the so-called charges against these individuals are attempts to disguise its bias and partisanship,” Quicho said.

“In stark contrast, the Ombudsman moved heaven and earth to hastily investigate and remove Mayor Junjun Binay without giving him the benefit of properly answering the charges against him and despite the dearth of evidence presented. Hindi pa nga nakakasagot sa COA (Commission on Audit) findings meron na agad pasya si Ombudsman [Conchita Carpio] Morales,” he added.

READ: Junjun Binay’s camp questions ‘suspicious’ timing of dismissal order | Binay camp: Ombudsman rushed dismissal order, calls it ‘selective

Quicho further said that the Ombudsman’s bias to the administration was evident when it first released its order to the media.

“Malacañang officials must understand that Mayor Binay has just received the COA findings. He has yet to reply when Ombudsman Morales issued the resolution through a press conference, which is definitely not a valid mode of service for orders and decisions of her office. Halatang-halata na may kinikilingan at pinoprotektahan,” Quicho said.

Citing grave misconduct and dishonesty, Ombudsman Morales on Friday ordered Binay’s dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from office over irregularities in the Makati City Hall Building II.

Saying the order’s timing was “suspicious” as it came days before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2016 elections, the Binays’ camp said the order was meant to sabotage the presidential bid of the Vice President and the reelection bid of his son.

Malacañang denied it had a hand on the order, saying that the younger Binay should abide by the decision. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/RC

READ: Palace denies it had a hand in Junjun Binay dismissal | Palace says Junjun Binay should abide by Ombudsman’s order