DILG defers Binay’s suspension

Ronron
May 6, 2007

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) deferred on Sunday the implementation of the suspension order against Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay to give the latter time to seek legal remedies.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno said the deference will be for the duration of the election period.

“In the interest of fair play, I have decided to defer the implementation of the order of preventive suspension against Mayor Jejomar Binay for the duration of the election period,” Puno said.

Last Friday evening, DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus served the suspension order against Binay at the Makati City Hall following receipt of said order from the Office of the Ombudsman.

The order stemmed from a complaint by Makati City councilor Oscar Ibay about Binay’s alleged maintenance of ghost employees at the city hall.

The Ombudsman found probable cause against Binay and Makati City Treasurer Luz Yamane to investigate them for grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and dishonesty.

The action of preventive suspension for a period not exceeding six months was imposed so both will not influence the investigation.

In a phone interview yesterday (Sunday), Corpus said their action last Friday is just in compliance with the mandate of the department to implement the orders of the Ombudsman within five days from its receipt.

Binay had called the second suspension order against him next to last October 2006 as another pressure from the administration especially that he is a sure winner over his rival, former Senator Lito Lapid, a known ally of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Nonetheless, he said he will seek an injunction from the Court of Appeals to prevent the DILG from implementing the order.

The serving of the second suspension order against the mayor came 10 days ahead of the May 14 polls.

Asked if Malacañang had a hand in the deferment of Binay’s suspension, Corpus said: “I can’t really say but it’s possible because many have been said about this. People are blaming the President, and they are putting political color to this when in fact, we are just implementing the order of the Ombudsman.”

But Corpus admitted that the serving of the order may have fallen at the wrong time, considering that election day is fast approaching.

Told that Ibay may cry foul against the department for the deferment, Corpus said: “I don’t think so because actually, we have until Wednesday to serve the order.”

Corpus explained that under the law, the DILG has five days to carry out the order of the Ombudsman for any administrative sanctions against erring officials.

Besides, he said the Ombudsman will also hear the case of Binay on Tuesday.

Corpus said that should Binay get a favorable resolution from the Court of Appeals, then, the DILG will observe the status quo.

Binay is a strong critic of the Arroyo government and seeking another term in the mayoralty post./DMS