JUDGMENT DAY Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales appears determined and defiant, after ordering the dismissal of suspended Makati Mayor Junjun Binay (right), shown into a huddle with his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, during the 341st anniversary of Makati City. INQUIRER PHOTO
The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Tuesday slammed the Ombudsman for engaging in a “highly partisan political maneuver” after the anti-graft body announced that there is a probable cause to file multiple cases for corruption against the vice president.
READ: Ombudsman finds probable cause to charge VP Binay with graft
“The Office of the Ombudsman is clearly engaged in a highly partisan political maneuver of trial by publicity and demolition by perception,” lawyer Rico Quicho, spokesman for political affairs of Binay, said in a statement.
The Ombudsman said that the criminal charges against Binay would be filed in court after the expiration of his term because the vice president is immune from lawsuits while in office.
“This is a matter of national concern that people have to be aware of considering that the elections are coming up and of course people have to know as part of the mandate of the office of the Ombudsman to inform the country of what is going on,” Quicho quoted the Ombudsman.
READ: Ombudsman playing perception game, says Binay camp
Quicho said “the statement is a confirmation that the Ombudsman is being employed to ensure political gains for the Liberal Party’s standard bearer.”
“Kailan pa naging trabaho ng Ombudsman na manghimasok sa eleksyon at diktahan ang mga botante? Hindi na nahiya, pati ang opisina ginagamit para makapanira ng katunggali sa pulitika,” he said.
(Since when did interfering with the elections and dictate the voters become the Ombudsman’s mandate? It’s shameless, the office is being used to destroy political rivals.)
Quicho said Binay would not be deterred and would continue to pursue his goal of providing our people with a competent and caring government. Nestor Corrales/RAM
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