LP: What political bias?

CEBU, Philippines - After the camp of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia filed for a motion to inhibit Justice Vicente Veloso from their case in the Court of Appeals, the Liberal Party cried foul at having been included in the basis for the justice to be inhibited.

Democrito “Mocring” Barcenas, spokesperson for LP in Cebu, denied any influence of LP, which is led by President Benigno Aquino III, in the decisions of CA justices.

In their motion to inhibit, Christina Garcia Frasco pointed out that the delay in the resolution for a Temporary Restraining Order “appears to be tainted with political bias,” considering that the CA provided an approved resolution to LP congressional candidate for Camarines Sur Aga Muhlach, on the same day of the oral argument.

Garcia filed for a TRO last December 20, a day after her suspension was served.  Frasco said that until now, they are still waiting for the resolution and denied reports of abandoning their prayer for a TRO.

But Barcenas said Veloso and all other members of the Judiciary division are only doing their duty.

“It took them five weeks to realize their claim that there is political bias?  Maayo mo-salute og judiciary basta daug sa kaso pero tungod wala kakuha og TRO, biased dayun?  That is not good for the rule of law,” he said.

Barcenas also reacted to the demand letter sent by the camp of Garcia to Cebu Provincial Administrator Eduardo Habin, OIC for the Office of the Provincial Engineer Hector Jamora, Chief of Operations of the Civil Security Unit Valentino Cruz, the Chief Security Tactical Security Agency, Police Regional Office-7 Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo and Commanding Officer of the Regional Public Safety Battalion Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag.

Frasco, yesterday, showed the demand letter they sent to the said personnel, asking them to “prevent any person other than the duly elected governor from holding office of the Governor,” stating that Garcia is still the governor despite her suspension.

Barcenas said that the office of the governor does not belong to Garcia and neither is she the incumbent governor since she is ‘lawfully suspended’.

The camp of the suspended governor said that even with the suspension, Acting Governor Agnes Magpale cannot order to lock the governor’s office and only the court can do so.

But Barcenas said with a suspension an official also loses his or her benefits like that of the office.

“Dili man na pwede. Suspended na gani and dili na siya authorized to perform sa iya duties unya naa gihapon office?” he said.

Barcenas said that without the TRO from the CA, Garcia and her staff’s stay in the office in illegal and Magpale, being the acting governor, is the custodian of the property and has authority to give the order to lock the office.

The demand letter of the Garcia stated that if those addressed in the letter would not abide with the demand, they would be sued.

Cabanag said that he will have to wait for the orders of Garbo regarding the matter.  â€”BRP (FREEMAN)