Brother visits suspended gov

MANILA, Philippines - Byron Garcia surfaced at the provincial capitol yesterday to defend his sister, suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who has been staying in her office since December.

It was the first time Byron visited his sister since the suspension order was served on Dec. 19, 2012 while the rest of their family celebrated the holidays at the capitol.

“Naminaw lang ko sa panghitabo (I’ve been monitoring the events),” Byron said, adding that the presence of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) personnel at the capitol purportedly to physically evict the governor prompted him to come.

He even challenged Police Regional Office 7 Director, Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo to a fistfight instead of picking on his sister.

Byron said he is giving Gwen tips on how to counter the policemen’s moves, adding that if Garbo wishes to get his second star he must review the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.

He said that uniformed personnel are required to salute to his sister even if she is suspended because she is the duly elected governor of Cebu province.

He also warned that physically removing his sister from office is a violation of human rights and no directive from the higher ups can justify it.

Byron said that they received information about the plan of the provincial jail inmates to riot that could lead to a mass jailbreak because they are sympathizing with the suspended governor.

This prompted acting Gov. Agnes Magpale to visit the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

Personnel of Special Reaction Unit of the Cebu Provincial Police Office were also deployed at the vicinity of CPDRC.

JV deviates from UNA position

Meanwhile, San Juan City Rep. JV Ejercito deviated from the position of his father, former President Joseph Estrada, regarding the suspension of Governor Garcia.

Speaking in Calapan, Mindoro, Ejercito said that the law should take its due course, contrary to what the former president had been saying that Garcia should not abandon her post and fight it out with the authorities.