Garcia expects more cases against him

CEBU, Philippines — After facing a barrage of complaints following his ascension as Cebu City's chief executive, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia prefers to address the matter in court rather than disrupt City Hall operations and hinder public services.

In a press conference yesterday, Nov. 18, 2024, Garcia said he has yet to receive formal copy of such complaints, but said that should there be “grievances” against him, he would agree to battle it out in court rather than barging inside the city hall to assert authority.

“Sakto ilang gibuhat, ni file sila og kaso, let the court of law decide on their status as an employee. So kato ilang gibuhat sakto to, rather than come here and bombard the office of the mayor and the other offices here and disrupt the services of the city hall,” said Garcia, apparently referring to former Cebu City administrator Collin Rosell who was arrested over a week ago after entering the Cebu City Hall, saying his suspension was done.

Garcia said that he "expects" a wave of cases to be filed against him moving forward, especially with the election season fast approaching. He added that filing complaints is a common tactic used to undermine a candidate's standing.

“Ang pangutana diha, if naa bay unod imong kaso,” said Garcia.

When asked if he thinks that the complaints against him are politically motivated, Garcia just said to “assess the complainants”.

Two anonymous complaints have been filed against Garcia, one for nepotism for allegedly hiring his wife, and another for alleged “usurpation of authority” along with Department of Interior and Local Government-7 Regional Director Leocadio Trovela, Cebu City Police Office Director Antonietto Cañete, and Cebu City Legal Officer Santiago Ortiz, Jr. lodged against Garcia.

Further, there were also several former Rama-appointed heads who already filed separate complaints against Garcia, Trovela, Ortiz, and Cebu City Administrator Batucan, and Human Resource Development Office Head Henry Tumalabcad, for alleged usurpation of authority.

The former employees were former Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs head Homer Cabaral; Security Officer III Vicente Esmeña of the Civil Security Unit; and executive assistant 1 Teofilo Rosaroso Jr., who complained of usurpation of authority and illegal dismissal.

Last Friday, three more Rama appointees—Mark Lester Ceballos, brother-in-law of Atty. Collin Rosell; Glicerio Germudo, Jr.; and Lemuel Felisario—also filed another complaint against Garcia, Trovela, Batucan, Ortiz, and Tomalabcad before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

“Political season, so we welcome all cases,” said Garcia.

One week after chaos at City Hall

It has been more than a week now since the tension at the Cebu City Hall, which led to the arrest of the former Cebu City Administrator Rosell. Although Rosell was already released from jail, the vacated mayor’s office where he was arrested remains locked up to this day.

Garcia reiterated yesterday that it remains locked to preserve its current status pending the investigation. But he disclosed that as of yesterday, the complaint of the Usurpation of Authority against Rosell has already been filed before the court. Sitting Cebu City Administrator Kristine Joy Batucan is the official complainant since it is her position that was usurped, Garcia explained.

“The case is still ongoing. Lock pa ang mga offices, I’ve given them (authorities) more time lang,” said Garcia.

He, however, added that since the case has already been filed, he may have to talk with the police and the Prosecutor’s office within the week to see if the mayor’s office will finally be opened.

With this, Garcia stood his ground on their position that Rosell’s arrest was legal and reiterated that with the dismissal order from the Ombudsman due to a nepotism case against former Mayor Michael Rama, Rosell’s coterminous term has also ended.

Currently, Garcia said they are also investigating the reports of some other former executives of the Cebu City Hall whose comeback was also declared during the Rosell-led press conference last November 8, 2024, inside the conference room.

“Ato na ng gi investigate ang uban. Naa may uban nga nanganhi lang, basig nanguryoso, nitan-aw lang. But if they really asserted their authority nga sila gyud kuno ang incumbent in the position, then we are looking into it, then if the investigation shows that indeed there is a usurpation, then we will also file a case,” said Garcia.

After Rosell’s arrest, the Cebu City premises have been heavily guarded with police personnel, which Garcia said was placed to ensure peace and order following the commotion that happened.

But as of yesterday, no police personnel were seen guarding the area.

According to Garcia, security measures were no longer needed since they felt there was no longer a “threat”.

Aside from this, Garcia added that the statement of the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reaffirmed their stance on the validity of his oath-taking.

"It had to take the Secretary of DILG to say, the SILG himself said it," said Garcia.

But he said that they will remain "vigilant” as their in-house security personnel are still manning the entry points. — (FREEMAN)