Senator Trillanes: I will expose VP Binay paid for temporary restraining order

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday alleged that Vice President Jejomar Binay's family had bought a crucial injunction from the Court of Appeals as he denounced the appellate court ruling that stopped the preventive suspension of Makati Mayor Junjun Binay.

"One of these days, we will expose them: who had fronted for them, who they had talked to, how much they paid. Eventually, we will bring that all out," said Trillanes, who initiated the Senate investigation into corrupt practices in Makati which has been ruled by a succession of Binay family members for almost 30 years.

"That is proof that our justice system is corrupt," Trillanes told reporters in a phone patch interview.

According to the senator, he had received "information" that the Binays had spent "big money" to secure the injunction.

No comment

The Supreme Court has begged off from commenting on the most recent allegations that court resolutions at the Court of Appeals (CA) were for sale, saying the high court does not comment on such statements.

The Coalition of Filipino Consumers recently claimed it had information from a CA justice that TROs there were "for sale" for a price tag of P5 million.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has many times vowed to continue the "painful but necessary" cleansing process within the judiciary.

Last September, the high court dismissed Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Gregory Ong for his "corrupt inclinations," after he was accused of links with alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Several trial court judges are also currently under investigation for alleged ties with a certain Ma'am Arlene, who is accused of fixing court cases for high-paying clients.

In March, the high court also started releasing its rulings on administrative cases against judges and lawyers as part of the housecleaning campaign.

The Ombudsman ordered the preventive suspension of Mayor Binay while he was being investigated in connection with the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Makati City Hall Building II, the first issue tackled in the Senate blue ribbon subcommittee hearings.

Construction of the P2.28-billion (S$69.4 million) building first began when Vice President Jejomar Binay was the mayor of Makati, and completed when his son took over the post.

But the younger Binay challenged the ruling before the appellate court, which ruled in his favour, stopping his suspension indefinitely.

Trillanes and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, the blue ribbon subcommittee chair, supported Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales' move to challenge the Court of Appeals ruling before the Supreme Court.

"I'm hoping the Supreme Court will save the day for the self-respect and dignity and integrity of the justice system," said Trillanes.

"Since the Ombudsman feels that the preliminary injunction was granted with grave abuse of discretion, the Ombudsman should have this immediately reviewed by the Supreme Court and ask for a TRO (temporary restraining order)," said Pimentel, adding that the appellate court TRO should be heeded in the meantime.