Ombud clears Garcias of raps in campaign rally

CRIMINAL and administrative charges were dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, her father Rep. Pablo Garcia of Cebu’s 2nd district and other officials in relation to statements they reportedly made in a political rally in 2004.

In a statement,  graft investigation and prosecution officer Judy Ann Doctor-Escalona said the complainants failed to specify what acts the officials committed that warranted the charges against them.

“It appears from the allegations that the complainants have no personal knowledge of the alleged incidents,” Escalona said.

The issue stemmed from a complaint filed by Tri-Island Holdings Inc. who filed charges of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Ant-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in 2004 against the two Garcias and several officials.

Also named respondents were Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, former Dumanjug mayor Cesar Baricuatro, Capitol consultant Marino Martinquilla and several other town officials of Moalboal.

Tri-Island Corporate Holdings Inc. claimed to be the owners of a properties in barangays Saavedra, Basidot, and Tubli in Moalboal town, Cebu on behalf of the heirs of the late Dr. Rebecco Panlilio.

The company represented by its officer-in-charge Mario Gopiao, said its ownership over the real properties is under cadastral proceedings before the Regional Trial Court.

Gopiao said statements made by the elder Garcia, then Cebu governor and his daughter Gwendolyn Garcia eventually led to the destruction and demolition of the guard post, security fence, waning signs, and other structures in its properties.

But the anti-graft office said while the public officials were identified, the company failed to specify the wrongdoings these officials committed. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol