Binay camp says Ombudsman’s order meant to stop Junjun from running in 2016

The order of the Ombudsman dismissing Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and disqualifying him from holding public office was politically motivated and meant to keep him from running for re-election in 2016.

That was the stand of the Binay camp on Friday, shortly after the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday ordered the dismissal and perpetual disqualification of suspended of the Makati mayor in connection with the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Building II.

"Bistado na ang Ombudsman. Minadali nito ang order dahil sa Lunes ay magsisimula na ang filing ng CoCs [Certificate of Candidacy] para sa 2016 election," said the Binay family's spokesperson Joey Salgado.

"Ni wala pang kopya ng order na natanggap si Mayor. Dismissal by press release ang ginawa ng Ombudsman," he added in a statement.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said the younger Binay was dismissed for his alleged dishonesty from service, among others.

"Gusto nilang pigilan ang pagtakbo ni Mayor Junjun. Pero nagkakamali sila dahil hanggang walang final judgement sa kaso, pwedeng tumakbo sa eleksyon si Mayor Junjun Binay," Salgado said.

Salgado said the move was another form of political oppression against the Binay family, whose patriarch Vice President Jejomar Binay is running for the country's top post in 2016.

"Klarong-klaro ang panggigipit sa pamilyang Binay. Malinaw ang bias at selective justice ng Ombudsman na bahagi ng conspiracy ng mga government agencies kasama ang Senado at ang AMLAC [Anti-Money Laundering Council] na siraan at gipitin si VP Binay at ang kanyang pamilya dahil lang sa hangad nya na maglingkod sa mahihirap," Salgado said.

Salgado added that the younger Binay would face the order and seek legal remedy.

"Haharapin ito ni Mayor Junjun at dudulog sya sa hukuman para matigil ang pang-aabuso at panggigipit ng Administrasyon. Hindi mapipigilan ng order ng Ombudsman ang pagtakbo ni Mayor Junjun Binay sa 2016 at maglingkod muli sa mga taga-Makati," Salgado said.

Salgado also criticized the Ombudsman for deciding on Binay's case right away.

"Si Secretary Butch Abad na taga-LP higit P72 bilyon ang involved na amount sa DAP ni hindi sinuspindi habang may preliminary investigation," Salgado said.

"Si Mayor Junjun Binay na taga-oposisyon, suspendido agad at ngayon pinatatanggal pa nila sa serbisyo. Kahit na noong isang linggo pa lang sya pinasasagot ng COA [Commission on Audit] sa initial findings ng Special Audit nila sa City Hall Building 2," he added.

"Kahit na nag-issue ng injunction ang Court of Appeals na pinipigilan ang suspension ni Mayor Junjun. At kahit na dinidinig pa ng Supreme Court ang issue," Salgado said. —NB/JST, GMA News