MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista on Monday, October 12, said dismissed Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr can file a certificate of candidacy (COC) despite the Ombudsman’s order against him.  

Bautista told reporters: “At this point, he can do so. The question is, should the Comelec accept it?” 

“If there is no order yet that we have received, then we should accept. But again, just because we accept does not necessarily mean that they become an official candidate,” the Comelec chairman said.

He added: “The issue is, will he become an official candidate? … If there is an order of the Ombudsman that is immediately executory, then we are duty-bound to implement that order, unless there is a temporary restraining order that will be obtained.”

Binay: Aquino admin’s ‘evil design’

This comes as the younger Binay, the son of Vice President Jejomar Binay, vowed to file his candidacy for re-election despite the Ombudsman’s order. 

The Ombudsman on Friday, October 9, ordered Binay’s dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales based this decision on the alleged overpricing of the Makati City Hall Parking Building II.

The dismissed Makati mayor, however, described the Ombudsman’s order as “an evil design” of the Aquino administration.

Binay’s father, the Vice President, is running for president under the opposition United Nationalist Alliance. The Vice President filed his COC on Monday.

In Makati, Junjun Binay’s rival, acting Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña, filed his COC as a mayoral bet on Monday. – Rappler.com