Acting Makati mayor Peña denies rumored plans to storm city hall

Makati Vice Mayor Kid Peña, designated acting mayor by the Department of the Interior and Local Government on the strength of a suspension order against Mayor Junjun Binay, on Sunday disputed reports that he planned to forcibly take over the Makati City Hall Building II.

 

GMA 7 news program 24 Oras Weekend reported that there were unverified reports that Peña — who has been holding office at the old Makati City Hall building — would attempt to barge into the new city hall building and physically and literally force Binay out of office.

 

"Maraming nagte-text that the camp of Vice Mayor Kid Peña is going to invade the city hall grounds. We are appealing naman sa mga kasamahan ni Vice Mayor Kid Peña na let's try to be calm," City Councilor Mayet Uy said.

 

But Peña said he only wants to hold the weekly flag ceremony at city hall. "Nananawagan nga ako na tomorrow if ever gusto niya (Binay) akong kausapin, pupunta ako sa kanya. Or if ever gusto niya magkita kami sa quadrangle sa gitna para makipag-usap, willing din po ako," he said.

 

Peña added that he would be meeting with his lawyers to discuss ways of resolving the impasse with Binay, as well as the contempt of court complaint Binay filed against him for allegedly defying a temporary restraining order.

 

Binay has been insisting that a temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals stays the Office of the Ombudsman's suspension order against him. 

 

The DILG and the Ombudsman countered that Binay was suspended before the TRO was issued, making it moot and academic. The Ombudsman had ordered Binay's suspension over allegations that the Makati City Hall Building II's construction was overpriced.

 

Meanwhile, hundreds of Binay's supporters have been staying outside the city hall, functioning as the mayor's human shields. 

 

"Respetuhin na lang nila ang mandato ng tao," said Barangay Pitogo chairman Nessy Alvior, who said he and his constituents trooped to the city hall without prodding from the Binays. — Jonathan de Santos/DVM/KG, GMA News