Palace to Junjun Binay: Be accountable to the law

MANILA, Philippines - Be accountable to the law.

That was Malacañang's message to Makati Mayor Erwin "Junjun" Binay on Thursday as he continued to defy the Ombudsman's suspension order against him over corruption allegations.

Speaking to Palace reporters, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said it is up to Binay to decide on whether he would insist on staying at the Makati City Hall.

READ: Suspended Mayor Binay: 'Hindi kami aalis dito'

But Coloma also reminded the suspended mayor that all public officials should make themselves answerable to the public.

"Ang ating pamahalaan naman ay naninindigan na lahat ng mga public officials—whether elected or appointed—should make themselves accountable to the law and to our people," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told Palace reporters.

The Ombudsman on Wednesday suspended Binay and several other Makati officials for six months pending investigation of the allegedly overpriced P2.2-billion Makati City Hall II parking building.

The Makati mayor, his father Vice President Jejomar Binay and 22 others are facing a complaint for graft, malversation and violation of the procurement law in connection with the carpark project, which allegedly made money for the Binays.

The controversial parking building, which supposedly underwent irregular bidding, led to a Senate investigation on other allegedly irregular projects in Makati and the wealth of the Vice President and his family.

The Palace maintained that it had no involvement in the Senate probe and in the suspension of the younger Binay since the Ombudsman is an independent body.

"Wala pong partisipasyon at walang involvement po ang administrasyon sa pagkilos ng Office of the Ombudsman," Coloma said.

He added that the younger Binay's suspension will not affect President Aquino's ties to the Vice President nor will it create any political problem for the administration

"Ang tinitingnan lang naman natin dito ay ‘yung pagpapairal ng mga proseso ng batas," Coloma said.