CEBU, Philippines - With the election of the new Governor of the province, the much-awaited scene now is the turnover of power from the outgoing to the incoming local chief executive.
But with the suspension of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia still in effect and the office of the Governor still padlocked, the transition is in jeopardy.
Acting Governor Agnes Magpale said that he is still waiting for the decision of Governor-elect Hilario “Junjun†Davide, III if they will already open the Governor’s office.
But she said that this would still need the consent of the suspended governor since she still has her things inside.
Magpale said they would not want to be accused if something would be lost inside the office.
Since January 30 when Garcia was locked out of her office, boxes full of documents and all other things of Garcia have been sealed personally by her staff who were present when Magpale ordered the office to be padlocked.
Garcia was meted with a 6-month suspension by the Department of the Interior and Local Government starting in December 2012. Garcia refused to serve the suspension at first and holed up for at least a month inside her office until she was locked out when she visited a town in the south last January 30.
During the lockdown, staff members of Garcia also refused to heed the order and remained inside the office until late evening where both legal counsels of Garcia and Magpale agreed that everything would be sealed and signed to assure that nothing would be taken out while the office is locked.
Magpale continue to use the vice governor’s office. Acting Vice Governor Julian Daan also used his old office as board member. Some of their staff members have been using other offices as well as the lobby momentarily.
Garcia has not turned over the key for her office and Magpale said yesterday that they have not communicated anymore with Garcia to ask her for the key.
She said they will be waiting for Garcia to turn it over for Davide to use.
However, since the suspension of Garcia will be lifted by June 19, Magpale said she would still have 11 days until Davide would have to take his seat on July 1.
Magpale said that if it were just on normal conditions, the predecessor would just turnover the office to the newly elected governor. —(BANAT NEWS)