scorted by a contingent of 500 heavily-armed policemen, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar served Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, and the entire city council, 60-day preventive suspension notices. DILG records indicate that Binay's Makati hired 1,235 "ghost employees" and defrauded its residents of P113.1 million. According to Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, "This preventive suspension is part of the legal process to hasten the investigation," and does not mean that anyone is guilty at this point.

In characteristic fashion, Binay appeared in camouflage fatigues saying that he is ready to "duke it out" with whoever tries to evict him and has, so far, refused to vacate his city hall office. DILG director Rodolfo Feraren who was appointed to run the city in the interim has had to setup office at the old city hall building across the street.

Many Binay supporters and anti-Arroyo activists immediately flocked to the embattled mayor's side. Former President Cory Aquino, and San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, who himself could be facing a similar fate sometime soon, rushed to the Makati mayor's office to show their support.

But discerning Filipinos are asking: if Binay has nothing to hide, why impede the investigation with this show of defiance? If he is innocent, he will surely be exonerated.

From a broader perspective, Binay's actions sadly, are characteristic of many local politicians in the Philippines, who treat their provinces, cities, or even brangays as their own little fiefdom. They become the imperial rulers of their little localities and forget the fact that they are really there to serve the people.

Unfortunately, the average Filipino constituent, who for the most part acts in a subservient manner and can be timid to a fault, only exacerbates this problem. It is thus gratifying to see the National government step-in and remind these local officials that they are still answerable to a higher authority.