‘Only TRO can stop Cebu gov’s suspension’

MANILA, Philippines - Only a temporary restraining order (TRO) from higher courts will prevent the government from carrying out its six-month suspension order on Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, a Palace official said yesterday.

“As we have always done, we respect court decisions,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told a news briefing at Malacañang, pointing out that a TRO “effectively restrains governmental action when it comes to a particular matter.”

She said Garcia should not complain of political persecution since even some members of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) have been slapped with administrative sanctions.

Valte cited the case of the incumbent Kalinga governor, an LP member, who was suspended for attacking an anchorman of the state-owned radio station dzRB inside his booth.

She also said Pagadian Mayor Sammy Co, another LP member, is undergoing investigation for his alleged involvement in the pyramiding scam of Aman Futures.

“So we take no sides. Whoever is arguing that this is political should look at what we’ve done in the past, just to show that even LP members have been involved in disciplinary actions,” she said.

“For the executive not to investigate, what will be the accusations against us? They will say it’s whitewash. If we act, they will say it’s political persecution. So, as far as we are concerned, we are doing what the executive is mandated to do,” she said.

On the timing of the release of Garcia’s case, Valte said there was nothing sinister about it. Garcia’s case reportedly reached the desk of the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo in July, but this was released only recently.

“That is a double-edged sword. If you release it a month later, they will say that the resolution or the penalty was railroaded. If you release it sometime after, they will say that the timing is coincidental or the timing is suspect,” Valte pointed out.

“So whatever we say will not really make any difference to the people who are saying this. But, at the very least, the process has been followed,” she added.

She also dismissed allegations by the camp of Garcia that that the administration wants the governor suspended so that Vice Gov. Agnes Mapale – a sister of Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras – can take over the provincial capitol.

“There is a unit in the Office of the President that takes care of disciplinary issues. Secretary Almendras is not in any way involved in that process,” Valte said.

The six-month suspension on Garcia – who supported Aquino but is allied with the United Nationalist Alliance – will expire on June 2013 or when the May 13 senatorial and local elections are over.

Sources said the government had originally intended to suspend the Cebu governor for 60 days. Garcia is facing charges of grave abuse of authority for withholding funds for her vice governor.

The government issued the suspension order through Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who lost to UNA leader Jejomar Binay in the race for vice president in May 2010.

In her reelection bid, Garcia faces off with LP’s Hilario Davide III, son and namesake of the retired chief justice. The younger Davide lost in his gubernatorial bid to Garcia in May 2010.

Davide’s father had been designated by President Aquino to head a five-man Truth Commission to investigate alleged human rights abuses committed during the Arroyo administration. The Supreme Court has declared the body unconstitutional. – Paolo Romero