MANILA, Philippines — A Court of Appeals (CA) justice inhibited from the second suspension order case against Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr.
Associate Justice Franchito Diamante of the new CA Special Division, assigned to handle the case of Binay, inhibited from the case since he was a member of the CA Internal Committee probing the bribery allegations of Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV against two CA justices who handled the first preventive suspension order of the Ombudsman against Binay.
Last Thursday, Diamante already dropped hints that he would inhibit himself from the case due to the same reason.
Diamante will be replaced by new magistrate, Associate Justice Romeo Barza, an additional member to the CA Special Division.
CA formed a Special Division of five associate justices namely Barza, Soccorro Inting, and three original members of the Ninth Division, Associate Justices Amy Lazaro-Javier, Rodil Zalameda and Melchor Sadang to rule on the petition of Binay.
The Special Division was created to ensure majority decision.
Diamante was the fourth to inhibit from the second suspension case of Binay issued by the Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales related to alleged anomalous construction of the Makati Science High School building.
Other magistrates who inhibited were Associate Justices Cecilia Librea-Leagogo, Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla and Ramon Paul Hernando.
Prior to the second suspension order of Binay, four Supreme Court associate justices, namely Presbitero Velasco Jr., Arturo Brion, Francis Jardeleza and Diosdado Peralta also inhibited themselves from the first suspension case of Binay imposed due to the alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building II.
Binay temporarily stepped down from his office last July and his mayor post was assumed by then Vice Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña.
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