Garcia celebrates Christmas at Capitol

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia spent Christmas inside her office at the Provincial Capitol surrounded by family, friends and supporters as she remained to defy the Malacañang order suspending her for six months for grave abuse of authority.

In her official Twitter account, Garcia said “spending Christmas at the Capitol with family, friends and the media is ‘the most unique’ Christmas celebration” of her entire life.

“Kini maoy labing unique ug lahi nga Pasko nga akong nasaulog. It’s totally different. (This is my most unique Christmas celebration),” Garcia told members of the media, saying that they broke their family tradition this year.

Every year, it has been a tradition for Garcia’s family to celebrate Christmas Eve at the house of her parents, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia and Judge Esperanza Garcia.

The governor said that she was not able to buy gifts for her loved ones because she could not leave her office due to the suspension order.

Garcia admitted that at first she had a “little apprehension” and “sadness” as to how she will celebrate her Christmas. But her relatives and friends prepared and set-up two round tables inside her office.

There were two baked turkeys, which is home-made by her son-in-law, Liloan Mayor Duke Frasco.  The governor’s friends, Mariquitta Yeung and Margie Lhuiller, also brought her lechon.

Before taking dinner at around 9:00 in the evening, Garcia sang a famous Cebuano Christmas song, “Kasadya ning Taknaa.” She was joined by her family, several friends and supporters.

The governor’s son, Paulo and his wife, Michelle, shared food with the policemen manning the Capitol gates. The governor thanked those who expressed their concern and support for her.

Garcia maintained she is not stepping down from her post as she continued to question the suspension order against her, which she branded as a power grab, and asked the Court of Appeals to stop the execution of the suspension order.

She also rejected anew calls from Malacañang for her to step down. 

According to Garcia, she cannot turn her back on the mandate the Cebuanos gave her.

“Gipili ko nga mobarug ug dili ako motalikod. Three terms you have chosen me as your governor ug ako kining panalipdan. Andam ako nga moatubang sa kalisod ug kasakit nga gipahamtang kanako. (I was chosen and I will not turn my back (on the Cebuanos). Three terms you have chosen me as your governor and I will defend that. I am ready to face hardships and pain that they have brought upon me),” Garcia said.

The event was a double celebration for the Garcia family as the governor’s daughter celebrated her birthday. Mayor Frasco also surprised his wife with a birthday cake. Christina turned 31 on December 25.

Garcia was earlier found guilty for grave abuse of authority in connection with administrative charges filed against her by the late Cebu Vice Governor Greg Sanchez Jr. in 2010. The late vice governor accused Garcia of allegedly diverting the province’s budget.

The governor said that the suspension order was issued 474 days after the DILG concluded its investigation and 144 days after the case records were transmitted from the office of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to the Palace. She said the decision to suspend her was politically motivated especially with the upcoming 2013 polls.

Garcia, who is on her third and last term, will be running for Congress  to represent Cebu’s 3rd district while her brother, Rep. Pablo John, is running for governor against Liberal Party gubernatorial bet Hilario Davide III.

In the last 2010 elections, Davide lost to Garcia by 100,000 votes. — (FREEMAN)