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Palace, Comelec lips sealed on Jojo Binay's hasty suspension


(Updated 6:21 am Sunday) The Commission on Elections (Comelec) claimed it has no jurisdiction on the case of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, saying higher government offices could only intervene in the suspension order on the reelectionist politician. Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr told this to radio dzBB in an interview Saturday, explaining that the poll body has no jurisdiction on cases that come from anti-graft courts. "Ayaw kong magbigay ng comment. Pero kung totoong galing (ang case) either sa Sandiganbayan or the (Office of the) Ombudsman, wala kaming jurisdiction d'yan, (I don't want to comment on the case. But if it's true that it either came from the Sandiganbayan or the Office of the Ombudsman, then the Comelec has no jurisdiction on that) " said Abalos. Earlier, Malacañang distanced itself from the sudden suspension order slapped against Binay. Radio dzBB said that instead of answering queries why the suspension order was hurriedly delivered to Binay during the non-office hours of Friday and a few days before the May 14 elections, the Palace through Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, only said on Saturday that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has to explain the case to the public. "This is strictly between the ombudsman and Mayor Binay. But the ombudsman owes it to the public to fully and convincingly explain why they believe they have a strong case against the mayor for allegedly hiring ghost employees and why they have to suspend him now," Bunye told palace reporters. Meanwhile, in another report, QTV-11's Balitanghali said that Binay did not believe that Malacañang was not behind his suspension. "Mrs Arroyo (is) very oppressive, ang harassment gano'n na lang," Binay, member of the Genuine Opposition's executive committee, told the television station on Saturday. He said that suspension order could only be implemented if the case concerns graft and corruption. But since the case is administrative, the order is null and void. Binay said he will file a prayer for a temporary restraining order at the Court of Appeals on Monday. Meanwhile, Interior undersecretary Marius Corpus said Saturday that Binay' suspension favors him because it will give him time to prepare for his hearing before the Ombudsman on Tuesday. “Kailangang as soon as possible niyang matanggap ang order para makahanda. Kung Lunes, the following day ang hearing, walang time to prepare (Binay had to receive the order soonest, so he can prepare. If we served it on Monday, he’ll have no time to prepare because the hearing is set on Tuesday)," Corpus said in an interview on dzXL radio. Corpus also said that with the suspension order now having been served, Binay is effectively suspended, and vice mayor Ernesto Mercado is now acting mayor. He said all transactions with Binay after Friday night will be deemed void. “(Binay) cannot transact anymore. Legally suspended na siya (He is deemed legally suspended)," he said. In a separate interview on dzBB radio, he also said there is no more reason for Binay’s supporters to continue surrounding City Hall. “Kung mananalo siya, deemed void ang suspension order. Administrative case naman ito (If he wins in his reelection bid, the suspension order is deemed nullified because this is an administrative case)," he added. Binay started to lead Makati in 1986 as officer-in-charge under then President Corazon Aquino’s transitional government. He ruled the city for three more terms until his wife Elenita took over his post. Binay went back to his post in 2001 and has ruled Makati since then. - GMANews.TV
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