Vile words, shabby phrases
THE riotous scene at the premises of the controversial Makati City Hall Building-2 was not the only reprehensible occurrence that was triggered by the second suspension of Mayor Junjun Binay by the Ombudsman last June 30.
Putrid words and phrases were exchanged. The accusers were understandably the Binay family members who claimed the Aquino administration has not stopped persecuting them.
The second suspension of the younger Binay as mayor, the charges now being heard against Mrs. Elenita Binay, and the string of cases against the vice president are indications that the PNoy government is bent on sending them all to jail, they said.
“I will not leave City Hall,” said the defiant mayor. “They are bending the law to suit their plan.”
Watching the statement on TV of the resistant mayor, DILG Secretary Mar Roxas whose government office has the mandated task of carrying out the suspension order chided the mayor:
“You don’t own Makati,” a reference to the family’s boast that the city has seen progress leap to high levels because of the Binays’ years as administrators.
The Cabinet secretary added: “You may be special in the eyes of your father but under the law you are not special.”
Meanwhile, the father, accompanied by security personnel, confronted PNP Supt. Jamias, the ground commander assigned by DILG, whose contingent was guarding the city hall doors that prevented Binay followers from forcing themselves into the building.
Visibly fuming in anger, the older Binay barked at the submissive police officer, “Don’t follow unlawful orders.” And while pricking with his index finger the nameplate of the police officer, VP Binay allegedly promised to boot out from service Jamias and his men.
Secretary Mar was not through yet. The day following the suspension, and informed that the mayor was still holed up in his 24th floor office, Roxas issued another admonition this time directed at the vice president: “Tell your son to obey the law.” It was an effective statement of rebuke. On Wednesday morning, Mayor Junjun stepped down from office in a meek gesture (“To prevent further chaos in City Hall.) that will keep him away from the J.P. Rizal compound for the next six months, the length of the Ombudsman order.
Unless, he gets again a TRO from the Court of Appeals, just like what was given him in his first suspension early this year.
Meanwhile, even Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales was drawn into word war. Irked by criticisms that she was only after enemies of the administration, she cited the recent suspension from office of Director Alan Purisima and other senior officers of the PNP, the charging of graft of former Customs Comm. Ruffy Biazon, ERC Chairman Ducut, and four former congressmen identified with the present administration.
“You want to impeach me? I will welcome it.”
From Senator Nancy Binay: “Our family is being harassed by this administration.”
Sneered broadcaster Ted Failon: “With a father as vice president of the land, a mother as former city mayor, as sister a congresswoman, and a brother as the incumbent city mayor, and you as a senator, I don’t believe you are being harassed!”