Whistleblower tells Gwen: Stay-in protest not good for you

BUSINESSMAN Crisologo Saavedra yesterday advised suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia to get out of her office as staying in a confined space for long periods will not be good for her health.

“Staying in this office is not healthy for her,” the self-proclaimed anti-graft crusader told reporters as he emerged from the Governor’s Office yesterday.

Saavedra, a former government contractor who blew the whistle on alleged anomalies in the Capitol, went to the suspended governor’s office as a “concerned citizen”.

Garcia however, refused to see her critic.

“I believe it can create a depression leading to mental disorder because based on medical history there are medical cases proving the same that just living in a corner of her room for a month can actually lead to mental stress.

“(Furthermore,) I will just tell Garcia to get out of her office and go to her district that she plans to run in the coming elections, since the election is fast approaching and start campaigning.”

Garcia’s secretary initially told Saavedra that the governor was having lunch. A few minutes later, the businessman was told that the governor could not see him.

Elizabeth Francia, the suspended governor’s chief of staff, told Saavedra that Garcia is doing “very well”.

Saavedra said he just wanted to check on the governor, who has been staying in her office since December as her way of defying a Malacañang order suspending her for six months, and discuss a report that the Balili property has been declared an economic zone.

“I want to check and verify from Garcia if indeed she has the papers or documents to prove that she was able to get the accreditation from Peza (Philippine Economic Zone Authority), because for me it is impossible based on my experience and knowledge about it. I also consulted an expert about the matter and ask even the Peza and they were surprised about it,” he said.

“(Anyway) if Garcia was able to get the accreditation I will congratulate her.”

He said he wanted to give the governor a slip of paper which lists down the requirements needed to pre-qualify an area eyed to become an economic zone, but he was not able to hand it over to the governor.

He said he will congratulate and salute the governor if indeed she was able to secure presidential approval on the controversial Balili property.

Saavedra also said he has asked the regional officials of the Department of Health (DOH) to make a request to let the suspended governor undergo a psychiatric examination to determine her mental state.

“I’m not a doctor, but I want to see and know the condition of the mind of Garcia if she is still fit to for public service since she is about to be elected.

“Because I believe, that people deserve to have a public servant who is mentally prepared, not mentally ill.

‘Best enemy’

Byron Garcia, brother of the governor, came to his sister’s defense, saying Saavedra is not welcome to see her.

“Why is Saavedra coming to see my sister, Gwen since most of the visitors who came to visit my sister are best friends, and supporters but Saavedra is not a best friend but a best enemy,” he said.

“If Saavedra wanted to undergo any mental examination, it is not Gwen, but the person who used Saavedra just like (Cebu City Rep.)Tomas Osmeña para masuta kung kinsay naay deperensiya,” Byron added. /correspondents Renan Angeles and Christine Emily L. Pantaleon