Ombudsman suspends Junjun Binay

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday ordered the preventive suspension of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr.

In a statement issued on Twitter, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said Binay's suspension will give way to the investigation on complaints over the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall II parking building project.

The suspension is effective for six months, the Ombudsman said.

Besides Binay, other personalities from the Makati City government facing charges of malversation, falsification and violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Ombudsman investigators filed the complaints against Binay and his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and other Makati City officials and employees on March 6 over the awarding of a P11.97-million contract for design and architectural services without public bidding.

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"The complaint was filed following months of case build-up and evidence gathering by the Special Panel composed of field investigators," Morales said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the Ombudsman also urged the respondents to also file their counter-affidavits on the charges.