Binay camp: Ombudsman a political tool of LP

MANILA, Philippines —  The camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay on Friday accused the Office of the Ombudsman as being a "political tool" of the administration in indicting him and his son for criminal charges.

Binay's spokesperson Joey Salgado claimed that the order of the Office of the Ombudsman fits into what he called an orchestrated effort of the Liberal Party and its allies to attack the elder Binay who is running for president.

READ: Ombudsman orders filing of criminal raps vs Binays

"We have never expected fairness and impartiality from the Ombudsman," Salgado said.

Salgado noted that the Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales reaffirmed the indictment of Binay days before the campaign period which will start on February 9.

"We look forward to disproving all their allegations in an impartial court," Binay's spokesperson said.

The charges against Binay Sr. will be filed after his term as vice president expires. His son, dismissed Makati City Jejomar Erwin "Junjun" Binay Jr., is also a respondent in the case.

Through three joint orders, Morales ordered the filing of multiple charges of graft, malversation and falsification against the Binays over the alleged anomalies in a construction project in Makati City.