Junjun presses CA to stop new suspension

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. has sought the immediate resolution of his petition with the Court of Appeals (CA) against the second suspension order issued against him by the office of the Ombudsman last month.

In a three-page manifestation filed July 23, the embattled mayor asked the CA’s 10th Division to resolve his prayer for issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) and writ of preliminary injunction (WPI) on his preventive suspension in connection with the allegedly overpriced construction of the Makati Science High School Building.

He filed the plea after the respondents in the case, the Office of the Ombudsman and Department of the Interior and Local Government – both represented by the Office of the Solicitor General failed to submit the required comment on time.

Through his lawyers led by Claro Certeza, Binay said the respondents’ right to answer the petition should now be considered waived by the court.

Binay said the CA issued a resolution last June 30 requiring the respondents 10 days from notice to submit their comments, but the respondents have yet to submit a comment as of yesterday afternoon.

Associate Justices Celia Librea-Leagogo, Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla and Ramon Paul Hernando inhibited themselves from the case over various reasons.

In March, the ombudsman ordered Binay’s preventive suspension over the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Parking Building II, which was built for P1.314 billion but allegedly only cost P245 million.

In that case, Binay was able to get a TRO and WPI from the CA’s Sixth Division. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales then questioned the orders before the Supreme Court, which has yet to rule on her petition.