De Lima to Kid Peña: Abide by Court of Appeals status quo order

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has advised Makati Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña to abide by the order of the Court of Appeals that a status quo prior to the suspension of Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay should be observed.

Binay was suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman due to his alleged involvement in the construction of the overpriced Makati Parking Building.

He went to the Court of Appeals to stop the implementation of the suspension order. The appeals court issued a temporary restraining order but De Lima together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Office of the Ombudsman claimed it was moot and academic since the suspension had been served and Peña had taken his oath as acting mayor.

The appeals court then issued a writ of preliminary injunction telling DILG and the Ombudsman to respect their decision and observe a status quo prior to the issuance of the suspension order.

Peña earlier said he would continue to exercise his duties as acting mayor until the Supreme Court ruled with finality on the case.

“The Court of Appeals clarified the scope of the injunction … so, strictly speaking, kailangan na sigurong sundin muna ‘yun while the Supreme Court is hearing the Ombudsman’s petition,” De Lima said.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales went to the Supreme Court asking that it nullify the restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals.

The high court has set an oral argument on the case next week during its summer session in Baguio. RC