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by Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News
Neither Makati Mayor Junjun Binay nor Vice Mayor Romulo Peña is doing the right thing in the ongoing power struggle at City Hall, Senator Francis Escudero said Monday.Escudero said either one of them could have sought the Supreme Court’s clarification on the issue instead of politicizing it at the expense of public services.
“Pareho silang mali at pareho silang tama,” he said at a news forum. “Pareho nilang pinupulitika ang isyu.”
Escudero added, “Puwede namang mag-usap at magkasundo.”
The Philippines’ financial capital Makati has been plunged into chaos with two politicians claiming to be mayor, forcing courts to close and delaying government business during a bitter stand-off triggered by graft claims.
Surrounded by hundreds of supporters, Binay has been holed up in the City Hall since the Ombudsman suspended him last week because of an investigation into alleged corrupt practices.
Insisting the graft accusations are trumped up, Binay has refused to cede power to his deputy and rival, Pena, who insists he is now “acting mayor”.
The power struggle is widely seen as a battle between the nation’s ruling Liberal Party and main opposition.
Binay is the son of opposition leader, Vice President Jejomar Binay, while Pena is a member of President Benigno Aquino’s Liberal Party.
It also threatens to delay the salaries of 8,000 government workers and payments for utilities and services. —with Agence France-Presse
This story was re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
