Police told to respect rule of law, ‘no intimidation’ to supporters
Five days after her Palace ordered suspension, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia received some Christmas cheer from her political allies in the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).
Vice President Jejomar Binay, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, former president Joseph Estrada and former senator Ernesto Maceda arrived in the Capitol to visit the embattled governor at her office at past 11 a.m. yesterday.
Their Capitol visit didn’t go unnoticed by the Palace which voiced hope yesterday that Garcia’s suspension “won’t degenerate into a showdown between UNA and the Liberal Party (LP).”
“Vice President Binay, former president Estrada and Senate President Enrile should appeal to Governor Garcia to uphold the rule of law,” said Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda (see related story).
Security remained tight with the arrival of the UNA convoy as Garcia’s supporters from Liloan town and Mandaue City also flocked to the Capitol.
Occupants of the province-owned lots under Provincial Ordinance 93-1 were also there to show their support. In an interview, Enrile told reporters that their presence is a show of their support as UNA leaders.
“If we cannot support our members when they’re faced with oppressive conduct, then we might as well fail as leaders,” he said.
“It’s the least that I can do as a leader of UNA. Whenever a member of UNA is beleaguered, I am there to show my support because that is the mark of leadership,” the Senate president added.
Rule of law
Yesterday’s visit by the top three UNA leaders served to bolster the governor’s spirits who teared up after receiving barangay health workers who visited her office and serenaded her with Christmas carols early yesterday morning.
Garcia, who’s sleeping in her office, had been receiving visits from allies, supporters and Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma over the past few days. Her family said they would spend Christmas at her office if need be.
During yesterday’s visit, Binay called on police authorities to ease up on security restrictions and allow visits by the governor’s followers and allies.
“I would like to remind the police about the rule of law,” Binay said.
The vice president recalled his six-month suspension as Makati City mayor by the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) due to the alleged existence of “ghost employees” in the city government’s payroll in 2006.
“At least in that particular case, I didn’t obey the suspension order. I didn’t leave office because I insisted that I have a case in court and I won’t be removed from office,” Binay said.
Not on a wheelchair
The vice president said he was saddened by reports about the restrictions imposed on the entry of visitors to Governor Garcia. “Don’t we have freedom of speech? Is it unlawful to commiserate and show support?,” Binay asked.
On arriving at the Capitol grounds, Binay went out of his vehicle and talked to Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag, Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) chief.
Cabanag told Binay they weren’t preventing people from entering the Capitol compound.
But Cabanag reiterated he has orders to have visitors log in their visits and leave an identification card on entering the Capitol premises.
“A reminder only. Let’s not treat the Capitol as a garrison. Let’s observe the rule of law,” Binay said.
Estrada questioned the timing of the suspension, calling it “un-Christian. “It’s Christmas season. The governor is not going to escape or leave the country. She doesn’t have a wheelchair,” he added in jest.
Welcome gesture
Governor Garcia profusely thanked the UNA leaders for visiting her to show their support.
“I am deeply touched. I am speaking for the Cebuanos… This will be forever remembered by the Cebuanos. A truly, truly welcome gesture,” she said.
In recounting his experience, Binay called on local authorities not to allow a “repeat of what happened in the past.”
“Rule of law must prevail. Wala pong takutan (No intimidation),” he said.
The UNA officials attended Mass at the hallway of the entrance to the governor’s office and had lunch afterwards. Maceda left after lunch while Binay, Enrile and Estrada left at past 2p.m.
Speaking before a crowd of supporters, Garcia reiterated that she will stay at her office because she is the province’s duly elected governor. Also present during the visit were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Joey Daluz III.
“The party that we stand and the people who are here are our leaders of the party. It’s not that Cebu City is interfering but I’m here as a candidate of UNA and Team Rama of UNA,” he said.
Enrile said Garcia still has “every available legal remedy” to lift the suspension order recommended by the late Interior and Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo and affirmed by the Office of the President.
“Let the law apply, let the course of justice take its place. Fair play must be played in order to maintain a well ordered society. Otherwise, kung braso braso lang, madali yan (if it’s strong arm tactics, then it’s easy)” he added.
