Labor

 Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday filed criminal and administrative charges against acting Visayas Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago for allegedly putting her into bad light in the fact-finding inquiry on the alleged overpriced Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) project.

In her six-page complaint addressed to Ombudsman Merceditas Guitierez, Garcia asked that Santiago inhibit herself from the CICC investigation as she is showing bias and partiality in the fact-finding inquiry.

The governor also prayed that in order to avoid unnecessary delay, a senior graft investigator, preferably a non-Cebuano and coming from the head office, be tasked to handle the probe to allay concerns of undue political pressure or influence.

"I am seeking redress from proper forum. We are not ruining reputation by splashing headlines," said Garcia, who explained that her filing criminal and administrative complaint against Santiago is not to stop the Ombudsman from conducting an investigation, but for it to be responsible for every action that it undertakes.

Crisologo Saavedra, who has filed several cases against public officials, has asked the anti-graft office to look into the allegedly overpriced and anomalous contracts related to the construction of the CICC, one the venues of the ASEAN summit held last January. The Capitol has reportedly spent P515 million for the center.

Saavedra and partylist group, Bayan Muna, have also asked for an accounting of the expenses incurred for the CICC and that Garcia and other officials involved be put under preventive suspension.

The governor reportedly got irked at reading a report by another newspaper quoting Santiago as saying "Nakabantay na sila," referring to the documents pertaining to the CICC. Garcia said in her complaint the she was "bothered and shocked as the statements attributed to Virginia Palanca-Santiago not only shows her bias against me but also unduly exposes me to public ridicule, censure and contempt."

Garcia said that Santiago already made an allusion that her administration committed certain irregularities and illegalities in connection with the CICC project that "we may be hiding" and that there is a possibility of doctored documents and suppressed evidence.

"Presently, our critics and political adversaries, to their own interests and advantage, are having a grand time assaulting our name, honor and integrity - this time their accusations buoyed by the statements of Virginia Palanca-Santiago," Garcia said.

Garcia said that Santiago's "manifesting partiality which causes undue injury" and "discussion of information that are confidential in nature" violate the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. She cited that Santiago violated Section3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act causing undue injury on her part in the discharge of her official functions, and Section 3 (k) and Rule V of Administrative Order No. 7, by divulging and releasing information of a confidential character.



Santiago has already denied having said such remarks, adding that her statement was not definitive, but was general in form.

Administrative Order 7 states that the anti-graft office may, under strict circumstances, divulge only the filing of a complaint and the action or decision the office has taken on a complaint.

Garcia said that until now she has not received any formal communication from the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas about the investigation or pending complaint involving the CICC.

"Dili man tingali ingon kay nag-occupy mi aning posisyon pataka-an nalang mi og panamastamas," Garcia said yesterday.

Although Garcia believes that the charges will not hold water because the CICC was built in accordance with the law and transactions were done above board, the governor said the development of charges were closely monitored for the possible adverse political consequences.

Garcia is seeking reelection against 3rd District Representative Antonio Yapha.

"The timing and the maliciousness of the accusations clearly has a partisan political agenda," Garcia said.

The family of the governor even asked the Office of the Ombudsman for an update on the unresolved cases against Representative Clavel Martinez. These are her alleged putting P26 million from the Girl Scouts of the Philippines into her personal account and P5 million in overpriced liquid fertilizer from Kasosyo Foundation whose incorporators include Rep. Yapha's driver and secretary.

There is also a case on P6 million in unliquidated funds from Martinez's pork barrel given to the Sikap Yaman Foundation, which has an unknown address; the Perdido Lex Foundation scandal; the unliquidated P12 million from Martinez's pork barrel funds given to the Northern Cebu Foundation of which Martinez is one of the incorporators; and the complaint against Pinamungajan town's giving of P100,000 in bonuses to each official and employee.

Tomorrow, Garcia will present the list of disbursements for the CICC before invited people, editors and columnists of all newspapers, presidents and deans of all local universities, chambers of commerce, the contractors' associations and presidents of non-government groups, among others.

This shall hopefully answer the many questions raised by various sectors on the CICC.-(/NLQ)