Court of Appeals: Junjun Binay can still run for public office

(Eagle News)—-Former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay can still run for government office.

This was after the Court of Appeals, in a May 3 ruling, nullified the  Ombudsman order that prohibited him from doing so  following alleged irregularities in the construction of the P2.3-billion Makati City Hall Building II.

According to the CA, the Aguinaldo doctrine that says that public officials can no longer be held to task for administrative liabilities after reelection applied to Binay’s case.

Although the doctrine was struck down by the Supreme Court on Nov.  10, 2015, the CA said the doctrine should apply prospectively, which means it could apply to cases prior to that Nov. 10, 2015 decision.

“Given the factual circumstances herein and the prevailing jurisprudence, this court holds that the undisputed and subsequent reelection of Binay in the year 2013 is a condonation of his administrative liabilities,” the CA said.

The appellate court also reinstated Makati city hall employees Nelia Barlis, Emerito Magat, Leonila Querijero, Eleno Mendoza, Virginia Hernandez and Raydes Pestano.