Gwen returns to Cebu provincial capitol

CEBU, Philippines – After a six-month suspension and with only 11 days left in her administration, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia returned to the provincial capitol yesterday.

Ending speculations if she would return or not, Garcia stepped into her office at 3:55 p.m. yesterday and immediately sat with Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial director Gerome Gonzales and lawyer Alefa Nogra to discuss her re-assumption of office.

Before Garcia showed up in the capitol, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale said in a press briefing that she would re-assume as acting governor if Garcia would not show up, based on the letter of DILG-Region 7 director Ananias Villacorta.           

As of press time, it was not sure if Garcia was able to file a leave of absence for the two days (June 18-19) that she was not in office.

Garcia’s suspension ended last June 17, as indicated in the suspension order that was served to her last Dec. 19.

Magpale had stopped signing documents since Tuesday since she said technically, she was back to her responsibilities as vice governor even without an official memorandum from the DILG.