Greg's daughter says: Things better without Saavedra, Kintanar

CEBU, Philippines - Engr. Grecilda “Gigi” Zaballero, the daughter of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr., claimed she is confident and better prepared now for the second round of the formal investigation of usurpation complaint against Governor Gwendolyn Garcia before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

With the help of four new lawyers, Zaballero said she was able to secure more reliable documentary evidence which support the complaint than having the witnesses, lawyer Oliveros Kintanar and Crislogo Saavedra, whom she called as “nuisance.”

Kintanar was fired as Sanchez’s counsel after the first round of investigation while Saavedra was also revoked as witness.

Zaballero instead hired lawyers Joseph Randi Torregosa, Renato Galeon, Waldemar Gravador and Myrna Limbaga.

Kintanar and Saavedra filed their respective motions to intervene in the case but these were dismissed by DILG.

Saavedra earlier said their exclusion will just weaken the case because Zaballero didn’t know what happened inside the office of her father when he was still alive.

But Zaballero said that what she is doing is to continue the fight of her father to preserve the integrity and respect of the office of the vice governor. She said the usurpation of authority should not happen again to others holding the office.

She said that when she was presented as witness, it didn’t matter whether she knows what is a resolution or a budget as she has not been in the government service, but it is a matter of documentary evidences that she has.

The prosecution’s presentation of exhibits and witnesses ended last Wednesday and the next hearing is set on August 31 that will be the turn of the defense.

DILG hearing officer Ranny Spencer Palisok said the prosecution will be given five days to file formal offer of evidence then five days for respondent to comment.

After that, Palisok said the respondent will present witnesses on August 31 and it may drag until September 1 to 2. (FREEMAN)