‘Gwen can campaign even with suspension’

THERE’S no legal impediment for Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to campaign even with the prospect of a 90-day suspension looming over her, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

“I don’t think there is an impediment for her to pursue campaigning (should she get suspended by the Sandiganbayan),” said provincial Comelec supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano.

The governor and seven other persons face charges before the Sandiganbayan over the Capitol’s purchase of 24.7 hectares of beach front property in Naga City, southern Cebu worth P98.9 million.

A government survey showed that the land was mostly underwater or classified as coastal timberland.

Garcia posted a P90,000 bail while charges of two counts of graft and illegal use of public funds was lodged before the Sandiganbayan.

In her press conference yesterday, Garcia avoided answering questions on whether or not Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale would take over from her temporarily if she was suspended.

“Well, I was wondering what you are so hot about. After all it’s a very speculative situation,” the governor told local media.

“I have always made it a rule not to answer speculation especially if it already involves intrigue,” Garcia added.

Magpale said she’s willing to take over temporarily if the governor is suspended.

“It’s provided for in the Local Government Code. I have no choice,” she told reporters.

Magpale earlier declined an offer by the One Cebu party of the Garcias after her party Bakud forged an alliance with the Cebu chapter of the Liberal Party, making her the runningmate of former Cebu City councilor Hilario Davide III.

The governor, who’s on her last term, was included in the senatorial lineup of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) while her younger brother, Rep. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district, was chosen to run for governor.

Last Tuesday, Governor Garcia was advised by retired Cebu archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal against running for the Senate since she has yet to establish a strong presence nationwide.

While the governor thanked Vidal for his concern, she pointed to recent surveys that showed an improvement in her rankings in the list of senatorial aspirants.

She also lashed out at her critics in her State of the Province Address last week.

Garcia said the announcement of the graft case and the 90-day suspension as a maliciously timed personal attack disclosed on the eve of her final address as governor.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district, Garcia’s arch critic, disclosed to local media about the governor’s suspension early last week in relation to the controversial Balili land deal.

Garcia, former Provincial Board (PB) member Juan Bolo and four other Capitol officials were accused of allocating funds specifically appropriated for “site development and housing program” to purchase the  property.

Garcia, the anti-graft office said, entered into the contract without no public fund available for the purchase.

Also charged were Amparo Balili, wife of the late landowner Engr. Luis and estate executor Romeo Balili. With Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus