Palace denies hand in graft charges vs VP Binay

Malacañang on Tuesday denied allegations that it orchestrated the Office of the Ombudsman’s indictment of Vice President Jejomar Binay over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Building II.

“The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent constitutional body over which the Executive Branch has neither authority nor jurisdiction. This administration has always adhered to the rule of law and it is best that those involved address the case or cases they face before the appropriate forum,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told reporters.

Coloma said the administration of President Benigno Aquino III has always respected the rule of law and never used its influence to manipulate independent institutions like the Ombudsman, contrary to what critics and Binay’s camp are saying.

“Sa simula’t sapol batid ng ating mga boss, ang mga mamamayan, na ang pamahalaan sa ilalim ni Pangulong Aquino ay isang makatuwirang pamahalaan na tumatalima sa batas, at kailanman ay hindi naman gumamit ng impluwensiya sa ating mga independent constitutional bodies tulad na nga nitong Office of the Ombudsman at hindi naman tayo nagpahayag ng anumang pagtutol sa mga pagpapasya nito sa mga mahahalaga at high-profile cases na hinawakan ng Tanggapan ng Ombudsman,” Coloma said.

“Sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay pare-pareho lang ang ating sinasabi na mahalaga na igalang ang pagpasya ng Office of the Ombudsman dahil nilikha ito sa ating Saligang Batas para nga magkaroon tayo ng isang independiyenteng body na siyang magtataguyod sa kampanya laban sa corruption at hindi dapat ito pakialaman ng administrasyon,” he added.

The day Binay filed his certificate of candidacy for president, the Ombudsman said it has found probable cause to charge him with graft, malversation, and falsification of public documents over the controversial parking building.

READ: Ombudsman finds probable cause to charge VP Binay with graft | Graft raps set vs Binay, son

The Vice President is set to face four counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act No. 3019, six counts of Falsification of Public Documents and one count of Malversation for his involvement in phases 1 and 2 of the carpark project.

Earlier, Ombudsman Conchita Morales has ordered the dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from office of Binay’s son, suspended Makati Mayor Junjun Binay for grave misconduct and dishonesty for allegedly rigging the bidding for the construction and design of the P2.28-billion Makati carpark building project.

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