Binay: We have always shown our ‘full support’ to Gwen
THE leader of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) has reaffirmed the opposition coalition’s strong support for suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, one of the leaders of UNA, said they are consistent in showing their support to Garcia.
He said this in the light of the scheduled arraignment of Garcia before the Sandiganbayan next week.
“You have seen in the past that we have given full support. There was even an instance that the three of us — Senator Enrile, President Erap and me — were around with her together with other national leaders,” he said.
“Hindi po magbabago yun. The full support will always be there. After all, especially in my case, the rule of law has been maintained. Legal advises will come from her lawyers. Her daughter is a lawyer and is also working with an outstanding law firm,” he added.
Binay was in Cebu yesterday to speak before the delegates of the 27th CACCI convention.
A one page order released by the anti-graft court rescheduled Garcia’s arraignment despite objections by government prosecutors who insisted that it should push through in the absence of a temporary restraining order or an injunction from the Supreme Court.
Garcia is facing two counts of graft and one malversation charge filed against her by the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged anomalous purchase of a 24.92-hectare property in Tiga-an, Naga City.
Acquired in 2008, the property is worth P98,926,800 but a major part of the was found to be submerged under water.
“Accused has not shown that she stands to suffer grave and irreparable injury should this Honorable Court proceeds with the arraignment on March 12, 2013,” the prosecutors said.
Garcia’s counsel Tranquil Salvador III said on Monday that the Sandiganbayan decided last Friday not to push through with the arraignment to allow the SC to resolve their petition for certiorari with a prayer of temporary restraining order.
The High Court will hold its en banc session on Tuesday but it was not immediately clear if the petition is included in the agenda./Carmel Loise Matus Correspondent
