Why he's leaving: Binay wants to prevent further violence in Makati

"Kahit labag sa aking puso, ako po ay pansamantalang lilisan sa ating City Hall."

A big announcement from Mayor Junjun Binay on the 3rd day of the Makati standoff.

Binay said he's temporarily leaving City Hall as he awaits the Court of Appeals' decision on his petition to stop the Ombudsman's second suspension order against him.

"Kahit na ganito ang dinadanas natin, kahit tayo ay minamaltrato, kahit na binabaluktot ang mga batas, tayo po ay laging magtitiwala sa batas. Wala pa tayong TRO, hindi rin dini-deny ang ating petisyon, pero kailangan natin igalang ang hukuman."

Binay also said he wants to prevent further violence in Makati.

Early morning Tuesday, the mayor's father, Vice-President Jejomar Binay, confronted police officers who prevented people from entering the premises.

The situation took a turn for the worse later in the morning.

Speaking to DZMM, the vice-president blamed police for the violence.

"Sana naman nailabas yung mga panunulak ng mga pulis. Ang napalabas lang sa inyo ay yung reaction dahil sa pinakatulak-tulak ng mga pulis eh kaya napunta sa nagkaharapan po yung mga tao at mga pulis. Alam ba ninyo na pati hipag ko eh tinulak?," VP Binay said.

The Court of Appeals has given the Ombudsman and DILG 10 days to answer Mayor Binay's petition for a TRO. The Binay camp will have five days to reply. Only then will the court act on the petition.

This is in contrast to the CA's action during Binay's first suspension back in March when it granted a TRO even without comments from the Ombudsman and the DILG.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Suspended Purisima invited to Congress for Mamasapano probe

MANILA - The House Committee on Public Order and Safety has invited suspended Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and other top officials of the PNP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the investigation on the January 25 Mamasapano clash.

The Manila Standard Today reported last week that Purisima was one of those who authorized the PNP-Special Action Force (SAF) operation that led to the encounter with rebels.

The committee met Tuesday and agreed to set the hearing on February 11 at 9:30 a.m.

The committee had received letters from PNP officer-in-charge Leonardo Espina and Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino begging off from the investigation today.

In his letter, Espina cited the need for the PNP to attend to the needs of the bereaved families of the 44 SAF members killed in the clash.

Batino sent a similar letter, citing the absence of the PNP.

Committee chairman Jeffrey Ferrer said, "My observation with two letters, it's valid reason... The leadership of the PNP will have also to attend to the needs of the family. In my point of view, in humanitarian consideration, I will grant the request and we will reset the hearing next week."

Ferrer told his colleagues that he immediately calendared a hearing after resolutions calling for a congressional investigation were filed soon after the Mamasapano incident.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, meanwhile, expressed apprehensions about possible schedule conflicts since the same resource persons will be invited to a parallel investigation of the Senate.

"There are parallel hearings in the Senate. As mentioned by the chair, this is really a very important issue. The whole country is watching. There are a lot of questions yet to be answered," he said.

Ferrer said, "Next hearing wala nang excuse. Dapat mag-attend na lahat."

House Speaker Sonny Belmonte had pushed for a joint Senate and House investigation on the matter.

Belmonte, in a text message, confirmed he has discussed his proposal with Senate President Franklin Drilon, who told him that he will take it up with the senators.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com