Garcia hits Magpale’s suspicion

CEBU, Philippines - Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia hit acting Governor Agnes Magpale for casting suspicions on all her transactions regardless of how it affects the image of the Province of Cebu.

Magpale’s transition team has been reviewing Garcia’s transactions including services rendered but are yet to be paid by the provincial government.

Garcia cited some of Magpale’s actions since she “grabbed” powers to include the closure of Sugbo TV and Sugbo News, declaring that the province is “bankrupt” resulting to the relief of Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre and the holding of payments of school supplies and road asphalting project.

“Everything as she says, if she says business as usual, I don’t understand,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that telling the Capitol employees that they will be renewed for one month, Magpale regarded them with doubt and suspicion if they deserve to continue working.

“This is creating havoc to the provincial government just to paint a picture of me not being efficient enough or perhaps even trying to create a corrupt picture of myself,” Garcia said.

She said that Magpale doesn’t care how her actions affect the operation of the provincial government and the image of Cebu that was built up for so long.

“Every day that passes, with her pronouncements, with her very reckless decisions, she continues to destroy that image and continues to project such a negative image of what’s going on here,” Garcia said.

Yesterday, Skylark Travel and Tours and 3L catering services asked payments from the acting governor Agnes Magpale for the goods and services they have rendered during the term of the suspended governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Approximately 1.5 million has to be paid to 3L catering services for the packed meals, catering services and snacks delivered to the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Alegria and different events of the Provincial government from September to December 2012.

“Nahadlok ko kay kung di mabayaran, manirado ko (I’m afraid that I would have to give up my business if I don’t get paid),” 3L catering services owner Rosalinda Du said, adding that she is hoping and looking forward that she will be paid in due time with the services given during Garcia’s term.

Skylark Travel and Tours also asked for a half million payment for transactions from December 2011 to September 2012.

“Tingin yata ni Magpale ang lahat ng mga babayaran natin pupunta sa pocket ko”, Garcia said when asked regarding the payments sought by the service providers.

“She is so suspicious of all suppliers, contractors and lahat na nakapagbigay ng services, supplies and goods sa province of Cebu”, Garcia added.

All the billings Magpale’s office has been receiving are subject to review by a committee created by the acting governor.

One of the billings showed the roundtrip travel expenses of Garcia’s son, Paulo and his wife, Michele, from Cebu-Manila-Laoag last July 12, 2012.

But Rep. Pablo John Garcia explained that these are personal expenses of Paulo and Michele that were mistakenly billed out to the Province of Cebu.

Pablo John said the accountants would really not allow the provincial government to pay because they are neither officials nor employees of the Capitol.

Magpale earlier asked the Commission on Audit to conduct a special audit on all the transactions of the Provincial Government for the fiscal year 2012 under Garcia’s management.(FREEMAN)