Binay asks DILG not to enforce suspension order

MANILA, Philippines - Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. asked yesterday the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to refrain from enforcing the suspension order against him until the Court of Appeals (CA) has ruled on his petition.

On the other hand, his father, Vice President Jejomar Binay, is blaming DILG Secretary Manuel Roxas II for the charges against him.

In a statement released yesterday by Makati public information office chief Joey Salgado, the mayor made a last-minute appeal to Roxas  to respect due process and exercise fairness even to those who are not allies of the administration.

“The (CA) has taken jurisdiction of my case,” Mayor Binay said.

In a text message to The STAR, the elder Binay’s spokesman for political affairs, Rico Quicho, said they hope the DILG would be mindful of the legal remedy that they are pursuing to protect the rights of Mayor Binay.

Mayor Binay said the DILG has in many instances accommodated the judicial recourse of their partymates who faced similar situations.

 “I hope that DILG Secretary Roxas will be fair and impartial and will treat people equally whether they are allies or members of the opposition,” he said.

“This is about respecting due process and the rule of law.”

Mayor Binay said taking his case to the CA is part of due process as he is questioning the legality of an order of the Office of the Ombudsman.

 “We are questioning the undue haste in my suspension and for not giving me the opportunity to explain my side,” he said.

A Malacañang official said on Saturday that the six-month preventive suspension order against Mayor Binay will be served today. – Helen Flores, Vic Alhambra Jr.