Roxas defends order to suspend Cebu gov

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas on Wednesday defended Malacañang order to suspend Cebu Governor Gwendolyn for six months, saying this has nothing to do with politics.

The Palace issued the suspension order against Garcia for alleged “abuse of authority” in connection with an administrative complaint filed by the late Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez in November 2010.

“The order is the result of a full due process. Dalawang taong pinroseso ito simula November 2010. Binigyan ng pagkakataon na sumagot si Governor Garcia. Noong buhay pa si [late Interior] Secretary [Jesse] Robredo, nagkaroon ito ng findings na may violation, recommending a suspension. The findings were sent and reviewed by the Office of the President before the order was issued,” Roxas said.

The Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) in Cebu served the order to Garcia.

Incumbent Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, a member of the Liberal Party, was sworn immediately into office.

Roxas said Malacanang released the order dated Dec. 17, 2012, based on the recommendation of Robredo dated July 26, some weeks before he died in a plane crash.

It was found out that Garcia “committed grave abuse of authority” when she hired employees for the office of the Vice Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) although the appointing power was lodged with the Office of the Vice Governor.

Sanchez also claimed that the funds for the Office of the Vice Governor were cut by 61%.

“While not illegal, [it] is suggestive of harassment, oppression and vindictiveness with respondent utilizing the powers of her office and affinity to the SP,” the DILG said, citing the Palace decision.

“Iyong bintang na pinupulitika sila ay natural na sagot dahil pulitiko ang pinag-uusapan dito. Pero bakit hindi na lang nila sagutin iyong nilalaman ng reklamo? Iyon kasi may ebidensya iyon. May katotohanan iyon. Kung mayroong paglabag sa kahit anong reglamento, hindi naman pwede na ang depensa ay pinupulitika lang. Kung may lumabag, may violation. Kung may violation, dapat na managot,” Roxas said.

Meanwhile, Garcia, in her, Twitter account (@gwengarcia1ph), said that she has “always acted within the bounds of my authority. This is clear use and abuse of political clout for obvious political gain.”

“This is, plain and simple, a power grab… to overturn the will of the Cebuanos through a patently illegal order,” she added.

“Sana’y sagutin na lang yung nilalaman nitong mga reklamong ito kasya magtago tayo sa palda ng pulitika,” Roxas said.