DILG resets hearing of Greg-Gwen case

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reset the continuation of the formal investigation of the complaint for acts of usurpation filed by the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. against Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Instead of today, the resumption of hearing has reportedly been moved to August 1 although as of last Friday afternoon, both parties have not received any telegram from the DILG central office.

Sanchez’s daughter, Engr. Grecilda Zaballero, said somebody informed her of the postponement of the hearing to August 1.

One of Garcia’s counsels, Rory Jon Sepulveda, also said they have not received any communication from DILG including a reply to their motion.

The DILG scheduled the continuation of the formal investigation starting this afternoon until July 28, 2011 at the DILG regional office 7.

Garcia’s lead counsel, daughter Christina Codilla-Frasco, filed a motion for resetting as she is out of the country from July 20 to 29.

When the hearing was suspended last month upon the request of Zaballero, Frasco already made manifestation that she will be out of the country and the hearing can be reset before July 20 or after July 29.

Frasco, at the same time, asked the DILG to resolve first the manifestations they filed before it continues the formal investigation.

Frasco raised at least two manifestations during the last hearing of the case.

First is the dismissal of the petition on the ground that the allegations were done before the May 10, 2010 elections and Garcia’s re-election into office is covered by the Aguinaldo Doctrine.

The second is whether or not Zaballero has legal standing in pursuing the case.

Frasco said Zaballero has no legal standing because the issue is usurpation of authority and the only person who would have the personality to question whether or not his or her authority has been usurped would be the vice governor himself. — (FREEMAN)