Sepulveda: Saavedra is "out of order"

CEBU, Philippines - Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda has tagged Crisologo Saavedra’s filing of motion for intervention in the case that the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. filed against Governor Gwendolyn Garcia as a baseless motion.

Sepulveda, the counsel of Garcia, told The Freeman that Saavedra is “out of order.”

“We will look into the possibility of asking the DILG to admonish him for filing a baseless motion,” Sepulveda said.

Saavedra asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allow him to assist in the prosecution of the case that Sanchez filed against Garcia in relation to the alleged illegal hiring of 19 consultants without authority from the Provincial Board.

He said Sanchez’s daughter, Grecilda Zaballero, may have the intention to pursue the case, but she has “no personal knowledge” of the issue and this might only weaken the case.

He said he has the right to be allowed to intervene in the case, considering that he filed a similar case before the Office of the President late last year.

Saavedra said he used to be Sanchez’s consultant and among his duties included, among others, bringing to Sanchez’ attention any act of corruption and other violations that affected the Provincial Board.

Through lawyer Oliveros Kintanar, Saavedra was presented during the hearing conducted by DILG Investigating Officer Ranny Spencer-Palisok.

During the cross-examination, Saavedra was admonished several times by the hearing officer for having a lengthy answer to questions that are only answerable by yes or no.

Saavedra even failed to immediately recognize his own affidavit and asked for further investigation before finally admitting it.

Sepulveda is supposed to continue the cross examination of Saavedra last June 9 but this no longer happened after Zaballero terminated the services of Kintanar as counsel.

Tension ran high during the hearing as the opposing lawyers were engaged in thrash talking, resulting in one threatening to hit the other. This was apparently the reason Zaballero asked for the resetting of the hearing until new lawyers are hired.

The hearing is set within this month after Zaballero announced that she already hired new counsels. – THE FREEMAN