Saavedra set to file new case vs. Gwen

Businessman Crisologo Saavedra is filing another criminal case today against Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, members of the Provincial Bids and Awards Committee and the governor’s cousin who was among the contractors of the controversial Cebu International Convention Center.

Saavedra said Garcia violated Sections 65 and 47 of the Republic Act 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Law for allowing her third-degree cousin, Karen Fiel Tiu, to participate in the bidding.

Tiu’s company, Diamond Interior Industrial, has cornered the P7,560,000 contract for metal cladding and P1.6 million for supply of window blinds of the CICC.

Saavedra claimed that Garcia and Tiu are third-degree cousins, a relationship prohibited under R.A.9184.

But Garcia said Tiu is her fourth-degree cousin, making Tiu exempted from the prohibition under the procurement law.

Saavedra likewise criticized the governor for filing criminal and administrative charges against deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Palanca Santiago.

He described Garcia’s move as retaliation not only because of the anti-graft’s investigation into the alleged anomalies in the CICC construction, but for suspending her political ally, Mayor Thadeo Ouano, over the lamppost controversy.

But Saavedra accused the governor of "trying to suppress justice."

"They would like to stop the Ombudsman from filing the case of the lamppost. She (Garcia) is trying to save Ouano," Saavedra said, adding that, "This is not a good move for the governor."

Last Monday, Garcia filed criminal and administrative cases against Santiago before the Ombudsman-Manila for allegedly being biased in her investigation into the CICC controversy.

Garcia wanted Santiago to inhibit from the CICC investigation, saying that a Manila-based graft investigator should take over the investigation.

Saavedra led militant groups in a protest rally against the governor yesterday afternoon. The militant groups marched from Fuente Osmena to Capitol, but were forced to go back to Fuente because they could not hold their program in front of the Capitol building where several heavy equipment were parked.

Saavedra explained to the militant groups the plunder case he earlier filed against Garcia and nine other provincial officials, including Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, over the CICC construction.

In a letter-complaint he filed before the anti-graft office on Monday, Saavedra accused Garcia, Sanchez, architect Manuel Guanzon, provincial treasurer Roy Salubre, planning officer Aldolfo Quiroga, budget officer Emmy Gingoyon, project engineer Ernesto Viernes, provincial engineer Eulogio Pelayre, provincial attorney Marino Martinquilla and provincial administrator Eduardo Habin of plunder.

Saavedra said the original budget for the CICC was P248,759,160 aside from the P2 million supplemental budget. However, he said the CICC expenses reached more than what was allocated because the Capitol spent P115 million more.

The governor, however, is expected to give her accounting of the CICC expenses tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Sanchez has questioned the plunder case filed by Saavedra, believing that "politics is behind all these things," as he is running with Garcia in the May 14 elections.

Sanchez advised Saavedra to first show his track record and experience in contracting such big projects as the CICC, or ask for opinion from the experts before publicizing the alleged overpriced transactions of the CICC.

"If he is professional, act professionally. If he is gentleman, act as a gentleman," Sanchez told reporters yesterday.

Sanchez explained that he has no function to execute, no power to sign contract and supervise because he is not a member of the bids and awards committee.

Sanchez said his only participation in the CICC project was during the approval by the Provincial Board of the supplemental budget by virtue of his being the presiding officer.

"Why man nga ako ra? If tinarung na iya (Saavadra), it should be the whole board (that should be included in the case)," he said.

Sanchez also noticed that not even Board Member Victor Maambong, chairman of the PB committee on budget and appropriations, who has role in studying the proposed supplemental budget, is included in the case. — Fred P. Languido with Gregg M. Rubio/LPM