Tensions flare at DILG hearing in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Tensions ran high as the lawyers of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. yesterday engaged in thrash talking resulting to one threatening to hit the other.

A heated argument between lawyers Oliveros Kintanar and Rory Jon Sepulveda ensued after the latter labeled Kintanar’s witnesses as “incompetent” and “ignorant of the law” during the continuation of the marathon hearing conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government on the complaint for usurpation of authority filed by Sanchez against Garcia.

“Tarunga na imong language diha ha. Ayaw’g gamita imong binugoy. Santakohon taka ron b_ _nga ka,” Kintanar rebuked Garcia’s counsel, Sepulveda.

Kintanar presented Ferliza Contratista and Crisologo Saavedra, who claimed to have previously worked at the Office of the Vice Governor.

Contratista said she was then appointed by Sanchez as editor-in-chief of the defunct Legislative Gavel, a publication of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and subsequently Administrative Officer IV of the Office of the Vice Governor while Saavedra claimed to be the special consultant on good governance of the said office.

During the cross examination, Contratista admitted to Sepulveda that she is familiar with the Local Government Code and the separation of powers between the executive and the legislative department.

Kintanar objected to some of the questions propounded to his witness, particularly the provisions of the Local Government Code, saying that Contratista is not competent to answer it since she is not a lawyer.

The objection was overruled by DILG hearing officer Ranny Spencer-Palisok on the ground that Contratista already registered her answer of being familiar with the law.

“I am not ignorant of the law sir,” Contratista told Sepulveda.

Sepulveda said the offices of the Governor, Vice Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan have separate duties and functions as provided in the law.

One of the exhibits presented by Kintanar and was also attached in the affidavit of Contratista was the opinion of the Civil Service Commission affirming the appointing power of the vice governor.

Section 466 (2) provides that the vice-governor shall subject to civil service law, rules and regulations, appoint all officials and employees of the sanggunian.

Contratista agreed Sepulveda that said provision only mentioned “sanggunian” and no “vice-governor.”

This time Kintanar raised objections despite having been sustained already. Kintanar got mad when Sepulveda said, “He does not understand the word sustained, your honor.”

A confrontation ensued prompting the hearing officer to declare a 15-minute recess. Kintanar however apologized to the hearing officer saying he was just carried away by his emotions.

Kintanar said Sepulveda should observe decorum and be polite to anybody.

Aside from Contratista, Kintanar also presented Saavedra who was admonished several times by the hearing officer for having a lengthy answer to questions that are only answerable by yes or no.

Saavedra’s failure to immediately recognize his own affidavit and asking for further investigation before finally admitting it provided a comic relief to the tension-filled room where the hearing was conducted.

Saavedra’s cross examination will be continued this afternoon with a request from Kintanar for Sepulveda not to shout at the witness.—/FPL (FREEMAN)