Magpale considers new option: Cutting power, water to Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Cutting the water and electricity.

This is among the serious options Acting Governor Agnes Magpale is considering to evict suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia from her office.

Magpale also revealed that they may forcibly take Garcia out of her office physically, if the need arises.

“There are suggestions to that effect, also cutting water, etc., we are listening, we are doing a day-to-day evaluation,” she said.

In the meantime, Magpale said Garcia can stay at the Capitol as long as it will not distract her duties and functions. Among those who gave the suggestion is Garcia’s most vocal critic, Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

Osmeña earlier suggested that cutting of electricity and water and cracking down of security details of Garcia are among the options.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is not in favor of the suggestion to forcibly remove Garcia until her appeal will be finally resolved.

Rama also asked Police Regional Director Marcelo Garbo not to make the Cebu Provincial Capitol compound like a “military garrison”  as it creates a bad impression that the city is facing peace and order problem.

There was also a proposal to let Garcia to pay for the electricity and water bills while she is staying at the Capitol.

“Ato kuno pangutan-on ang mga Sugbuanon ug mao na ba lang na maabot sa ila utok sa pagpanaginot nga ako’y pabayron sa suga ug tubig sa opisina sa gobernador,” Garcia told reporters.

Garcia claimed the big contributions she has done in the improvement of the entire province and in generating revenues.

“Nagpakita man lang siguro na sa ka gamay sa ilang panglantaw ug pangisip,” Garcia added.

Magpale refused to comment further on Garcia’s statement.

Garcia reiterated that she will not allow herself to be dragged out of the Capitol.

On New Year’s Eve, Garcia ordered the padlocking of windows at the Office of the Governor following ultimatum of Garbo that she can only stay in her office until December 31.

“I will stay here and I will defend this office, I will resist any attempt to bodily remove me,” Garcia said.

The Garcia family spent their holiday seasons at the Capitol, reportedly the most difficult Christmas the governor has experienced.

Garcia was suspended by the Office of the President for alleged usurpation of authority, which stemmed from an administrative case filed by the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. in 2010.

Garcia claimed that the complaint has no legal basis and also asserted that there was an irregularity in the timing of the decision made by Malacañang.

The Court of Appeals is set to hold on January 10 the oral argument on the petition for temporary restraining order asked by Garcia.

In an ANC report, Garcia said that if the CA will deny her petition, she will continue to stay at her office at all cost.

“We will continue to seek all legal remedies and I will stay here,” said Garcia.

LP Cebu Chairman Hilario Davide III appeals to Garcia to immediately vacate the Governor’s Office.

Meanwhile, Magpale welcomes the charges filed against her before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly violating the freedom of the press.

Rowena Zulueta, channel head of Sugbo TV, and Rufo Carzano, Sugbo TV reporter, filed grave abuse of authority, grave misconduct, oppression, conduct unbecoming of a public official, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and grave coercion against Magpale, Garbo, Regional Public Safety Battalion 7 head Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag and lawyer Czareem Joseph Estella.

“Basta ako, I’m very careful. I only do what is legal. I’ve been very prudent in doing these things. In spite of that, di man ta kapugong,” Magpale said yesterday.

In their 11-page complaint, they branded as “illegal” the acts of the respondents for closing and stopping the operations of Sugbo TV and Sugbo News on Dec. 21, 2012.

Magpale maintained that shutting down Sugbo TV and Sugbo News is just temporary pending review of its contents.Magpale earlier complained that the operations of both Sugbo TV and News did not promote the tourism of the Province of Cebu, but instead, promote the personal interest of Garcia. — with Rene U. Borromeo/MBG (FREEMAN)