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On Fri afternoon, Oct 9, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the dismissal of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay over the controversial Makati City Hall Building II, which is also referred to as the “Makati Parking Building.”
“Morales explained that Binay will be dismissed for grave misconduct and dishonesty, as there were ‘irregularities in the services and contract for the construction in several phases of the parking building.’ She also recommended that Binay be prohibited from serving in any government position. His benefits will also be forfeited,” report Jong Manlapaz and Yuji Vincent Gonzales On Inquirer.net.
In an ambush interview, Morales was quoted as stating: “We have promulgated our resolution. I ordered the dismissal of Mayor Binay for grave misconduct and dishonesty. What goes with it is perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits.”
The report noted: “Morales said it will be up to concerned authorities if Binay, who is eyeing reelection as Makati mayor, will still be allowed to file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2016 elections.”
Morales pointed out, “It’s up to the authorities if he files a COC and still be honored, that’s no longer my concern.”
The Ombudsman’s order is tagged as immediately executory. Binay, however, can file an appeal.
Then again, according to InterAksyon.com, the Binay camp claims that they have yet to receive a copy of the dismissal from the Ombudsman.
“Dismissal by press release ang ginawa ng Ombudsman,” Joey Salgado, spokesperson for media affairs of the Office of Vice President Jejomar Binay said in a statement.
Salgado also mentioned the dismissal was done hastily because the start of the filing of COCs for the 2016 polls is on Mon, Oct 12. Binay is eyeing a reelection as Makati Mayor.
The Ombudsman, however, refutes the allegation that the dismissal was decided on in great haste. For comparison, the Ombudsman said that “undue haste” was evident when, under the Binay administration in Makati, “it took the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) only 11 days to complete the procurement process for the multi-million peso (Makati Parking Building) project.”
Binay was twice ordered suspended by the Ombudsman this year — first in March for the for the alleged overpricing of the second Makati City Hall Building, for which the Court of Appeals ordered a temporary restraining order, and then again in June in connection to the Makati Science High School Building.
Ombudsman orders the dismissal from the service & perpetual disqualification of Mayor Jun-Jun Binay and Masbate Governor Rizalina Lañete.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
The order of dismissal against Binay Jr. was made in connection with the anomalous Makati carpark building project worth P2.28 billion.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
In a 103-page Joint Decision on six (6) docketed complaints, flagrant anomalies were found to have been committed by Binay, Jr. et. al.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
In phase 1, the services of Mana Architecture and Interior Design Co. (MANA) were engaged without the benefit of public bidding.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
4 payments totaling to P11.97 million were made despite the incomplete submission of deliverables such as design plans, working drawings,etc
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
A certified true copy of the publication obtained from the National Library showed that no advertisement for the invitations to bid was made
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
There was undue haste in the award as it took the BAC only 11 days to complete the procurement process for the multi-million peso project.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
In 1 hour only, the BAC completed the entire negotiation proceedings where bid proposals of 7 architectural firms were opened & evaluated.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
Even the COA’s Fraud Audit Office’s Initial Evaluation Report noted that the negotiated procurement adopted by the BAC was improper.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
No pre-procurement conference was undertaken and bid documents were made available only for one (1) day in violation of R.A. No. 9184.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
Documents show that Binay, Jr., approved the BAC resolutions, notices of awards, contracts and payments.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
According to Ombudsman Morales, Binay, Jr. had the obligation to ensure that the contracts were fair, reasonable & advantageous to govt.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
By so acting, Binay, Jr. intentionally closed his eyes to the irregularities by failing to observe utmost diligence.
— OmbudsmanPH (@OmbudsmanPh) October 9, 2015
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