Anti-graft raps filed vs. Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman filed before the Sandiganbayan yesterday anti-graft charges against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other officials and individuals in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of the Balili property in Naga City.

Rappler.com reported that Garcia was charged with two counts of graft and one count of violation of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the purchase of the 25-hectare Balili estate in Tinaan, Naga City in 2008.

The Ombudsman recommended a bail of P30,000 for each count.

Political harassment

Garcia was in a meeting with the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) in Manila yesterday when the news of the filing of charges broke out.

She said that the Ombudsman's move is "political harassment."

"It really is a rather surprising turn of events. It would not seem to look as though this is totally an innocent move.

"Alam naman natin we are now right in the middle of what is beginning to be a political season. These kinds of moves certainly will bring up suspicion of possible political harassment," Garcia said in the Rappler.com report.

Garcia is running for senator in the 2013 elections under UNA.

It's reminiscent of the Arroyo administration, said UNA secretary-general Toby Tiangco.

"Mukhang bumabalik na naman tayo sa sistema na ang administrasyon, hindi lang machinery ang ginagamit laban sa polit ical enemies kung hindi pati political harassment which was the trait of the previous administration na supposedly hindi na mangyari ngayon sa 'Tuwid na Daan,'" Tiangco was quoted by Rappler.com.

Capitol statement

"Governor Garcia's surge in the Senatoriable rankings, the rising national interest and awareness of her political intentions, and the apparent prior knowledge of a politician who have no official participation or role in the process, make us here in 1Cebu believe that the filing (and the timing of the filing) of the 3 Information is political harassment," said Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda in a text message to The FREEMAN.

Garcia's political critic, Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña, announced Tuesday that the Office of the Ombudsman has decided on a preventive suspension order against the governor.

Osmeña said the recommendation to suspend Garcia has been there for a long time already, but somebody sat on it.

Not from them

Following the announcement of Osmeña, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said the information about the supposed preventive suspension of Garcia and other Capitol officials did not come from his office.

But Apostol in an interview with TV Patrol Central Visayas yesterday said that he got unconfirmed report from the Office of Special Prosecutor in Manila on the filing of three informations to the Sandiganbayan.

Apostol said that he is expecting to get a copy of the documents today.

He also said that he has no idea yet as to the other accused involved in the charges other than Garcia.

Aside from Garcia, initial reports said other charged are former Provincial Board member Juan Bolo, appraisal committee members, former provincial assessor Anthony Sususco, provincial treasurer Roy Salubre, provincial budget officer Emme Gingoyon, assistant provincial engineer Eulogio Pelayre; and private individuals Romeo and Amparo Balili.

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas completed its investigation on the Balili Estate case in September 2009, and the result of the investigation was forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila that same year.

It was found out that 80,124 square meters, or more than eight hectares, are submerged and 14,402 square meters are mangrove areas. — /NLQ (FREEMAN)