EDITORIAL - Legal showdown

It is understandable for Cebu governor-elect Gwendolyn F. Garcia to declare that the ongoing construction of the 20-story building beside the iconic Capitol structure is not part of her projects and programs once she takes over the provincial government.

After all, it’s the project of outgoing Governor Hilario Davide III, her political opponent, who will stand to take all the credit from it. In fact, Davide said the P1.3-billion Cebu Provincial Resource Center will be his administration’s flagship project.

While stressing that its construction is just a waste of money and that it violates the sacredness of decades-old Capitol building, a heritage structure, Garcia is expected to fight for the scrapping of the project.

She had already filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas against Davide, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, and provincial administrator Mark Tolentino over the project.

The outgoing Third District congresswoman claimed Davide, Magpale, and other Capitol officials violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and committed grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for the building’s construction.

On the other hand, Davide has been moving heaven and earth to pursue the project, saying only the court can stop it. The incoming vice governor said he is prepared for whatever move Garcia will make to halt it.

As the incoming administration prepares to take over the Capitol, Garcia’s first move as new governor will be to exhaust all legal resources against the project. But, of course, she needs a court order to stop it.

Many see the legal showdown on the legality of the resource center to be a long courtroom battle. However, it would be a bad move for Garcia if she opts to prioritize the battle against the project. There are other more pressing issues that Cebuanos want her to concentrate on.