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As I’m writing this column, the Court of Appeals has issued a 60-day temporary restraining order on Malacañang’s suspension of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Binay and his supporters rejoiced over the CA’s decision.

While Malacañang is not rejoicing over the decision, our source said they are relieved. Rodolfo Ferraren, Makati officer-in-charge for two- and-a-half days, said, “Well and good.” He made himself look stupid when he said he will turn over the reins of the Makati government back to Binay. When did he ever take control of the Makati government?

The Court of Appeals has issued a 60-day temporary restraining order on the suspension of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

I was at the Makati City Hall yesterday afternoon up to about 9 p.m. There was a steady stream of visitors, expressing support for Mayor Binay.

There were Bishops Julio Labayen and Bishop Antonio Tobias. Later in the evening the two bishops, together with three other priests, officiated mass.

There was former Finance Secretary Jess Estanislao, whose presence many found significant, because he comes from the business community and is supposedly considered conservative. For him to go there sends indeed a message.

Amidst tension in Makati, Local Government Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar served the suspension order on Makati Mayor Binay, his vice mayor and all the 16 councilors at about 6 a.m.

They have designated Rodolfo Ferraren, official of the national capital region, as officer-in-charge.

Binay refused to personally receive the suspension order. Andanar merely pasted it in front of the City Hall.

(The following article by JP Lopez appears in today’s Malaya. What could be Bolante’s strategy?)

Talk about chutzpah.

Former agriculture undersec-retary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante has asked Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. to testify in his immigration hearing in the United States.

This is the same Bolante who the Senate ordered arrested for repeatedly failing to attend the hearing of Magsaysay’s committee on agriculture into the alleged diversion of the P728 million fertilizer fund into President Arroyo’s campaign chest in 2004.

Continue readingJocjoc asks Magsaysay to testify in US

Thanks for all the messages of support.

I posted bail (P10,500.00) in the sala of Judge Silvino T. Pampilo, Jr. of Branch 26 of the Manila Regional Trial Court. Arraignment is set on Oct. 25, 2006 at 8:30 a.m.

I was with former Sen. Francisco Tatad, who was also issued an arrest warrant on the same case filed by Mike Arroyo.

I have just been informed by Malaya that I have to go to court to post bail because there’s a warrant of arrest issued for…