Palace to Binays: Don’t look at us, just face ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang denied yesterday it was behind the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to dismiss Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. for his involvement in the overpriced Makati City Hall Building II project.

The mayor, who is seeking reelection, is the only son of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who is running for president under the opposition United Nationalist Alliance.

The Binays and their supporters said the move by the ombudsman was politically motivated and meant to derail their candidacies.

The ruling Liberal Party is fielding former interior and local government secretary Manuel Roxas II as its standard bearer for the 2016 elections.

But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over radio dzRB the mayor’s dismissal and his perpetual disqualification from public office were issues he should tackle with the ombudsman and the Commission on Elections.

“First of all, we should not make a comment because the Office of the Ombudsman is separate and independent from the Office of the President, so only (the ombudsman) can answer (the Binays’ allegations). I think we can see the progress of the case...We do not have a hand in the processes of the ombudsman,” Valte said.

On the dismissed mayor’s plan to still file his certificate of candidacy with the Comelec next week, Valte said it would be up to the poll body as to how they would deal with it.

“It’s a ministerial duty on the part of the Comelec to receive certificates of candidacy, so let’s just see what the effect of the decision handed down by the Office of the Ombudsman will be, because what is important here is the perpetual disqualification from public office, so that will be a hindrance,” she said. “But, in any case, we will just let it be because the Office of the President has no involvement there,” Valte added.

She also denied allegations that the administration was selective in administering justice, saying the ombudsman was not siding with anyone.