CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—Supporters of Bataan Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia Jr. continued to hold ground at the provincial capitol even as the Department of the Interior and Local Government swore in Vice Gov. Serafin Roman as acting governor and Board Member Efren Pascual Jr. as acting vice governor on Tuesday night.

Hundreds of supporters of the governor gathered at the provincial capitol to decry what they said was “political vendetta and harassment” against the governor.

“We are more than willing to secure him 24 hours a day,” said a man who identified himself as Jay Lauyon, a truck driver, in a report by a radio station in Manila.

“We will not let dirty tactics succeed against the governor. If a need arises for us to stage a people power, then we will,” Lauyon said.

“We are urging the Court of Appeals to speed up its decision on the petition of Governor Garcia.”

The suspension of Garcia, provincial legal officer Aurelio Angeles Jr., provincial treasurer Merlinda Talento and former provincial administrator Rodolfo de Mesa (now Balanga City administrator) stemmed from a complaint for graft and plunder involving the alleged illegal disposition of P120 million worth of properties of a paper mill in Orani town in 2005.

On Wednesday, Garcia shot down reports that the appellate court had denied his petition.

He said Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes had inhibited from the case for health reasons. He said the case had been raffled off and was assigned to the 17th Division under Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin.

Renato Brion, DILG director in Central Luzon, confirmed this but noted that the re-raffle was set at 1 p.m. today. “[There has been] no ruling yet on the TRO,” he said.

The capitol in Balanga City continued to be barricaded with trucks and metal railings, but a passageway had been opened to allow the public access to government offices.

“I’m well and raring to go for a fight,” Garcia said. He blamed Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for his suspension and the graft case filed against him at the Sandiganbayan.

Garcia said Gutierrez was on a “political vendetta” because she blamed him for the defeat of her brother in the mayoral elections in Samal town last year.

Garcia’s son, Rep. Albert Garcia, criticized Gutierrez in a privilege speech in Congress for the same reason.

Garcia remained holed up in his office at the Bulwagang Bayan, which is located across the capitol. Roman held office in his house, also in Balanga City. Tonette Orejas with a report from Greg Refraccion, Inquirer Central Luzon