CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III hits back at 3rd district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia who criticized his administration over the alleged mismanagement of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, which is being hounded by controversies.
Davide voiced displeasure over what the former Cebu go-vernor shared before the House of Representatives Wednesday, criticizing how Davide has acted on the issues of the CPDRC.
He said Garcia may have forgotten that during her watch, 133 inmates died and two others escaped from the CPDRC in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
"Hilason si Manang. Hilas kaayo. Gihilasan ko (niya)," he said.
Davide though said he is willing to face a House inquiry into the "glaring deficiencies, gross mismanagement and administration" of the facility.
"I will gladly and willingly face the house inquiry if nay summon," he said.
"Basin adto ra hinuon si Gwen mauwawan. Itug-an nako didto sa Kongreso nga ilang gihimong gatasan ang CPDRC sa dihang si Gwen ug Byron pa ang gaduma sa prisohan. Isulti nako sa Kongreso, nga ang problema diha sa drogas nakaugat na kana sa panahon pa sa mga Garcia. In Congress, my voice will be the voice of the whole of Cebu. And let me remind Gwen that the truth can never be won thru grandstanding," he added.
In her first privilege speech Wednesday, Garcia said the "deeply troubling developments" inside CPDRC has prompted her to seek an investigation in aid of legislation.
Davide said his administration has been trying to institute reforms in the CPDRC to put an end to the entry of contraband and operations of illegal activities.
Davide agreed that it was during the stint of Garcia where CPDRC Dancing Inmates became famous, but it was also under her watch that donations for the inmates mysteriously went missing.
In 2010, dancing in the CPDRC was suspended by Garcia after donations for the inmates went untracked.
"Basin nalimot siya nga niadtong tuig 2010 usa sa dakong away ni Gwen Garcia batok ra pud sa iyang kaugalingong igsuon nga si former Capitol consultant Byron Garcia mao ang lalis kung hain nato ang mga donated nga kuwarta para unta sa inmates nga gikan sa mga langyaw. Dili nato kalimtan nga early 2010 si Gwen ra mismo ang nimando nga ipaundang ang dancing inmates tungod sa anomaliya sa kuwarta sa CPDRC," he said.
Davide hinted that the status of Gwen's brother Byron Garcia as Capitol security consultant that time wasn't renewed because of the controversy.
"Nganong wala man na renew ang contract ni Byron Garcia isip consultant, tungod ba wa gi-remit ang kuwarta? Ikaduha nakong pangutana ni Gwen, sa ikaw pa ang gobernador, duna ba ka'y klarong accounting sa mga donated money para unta sa inmates?" he asked.
Davide added that even before he assumed as governor in 2013, the drug problem at the CPDRC was already prevalent. But, he said the jail's drug issue was overshadowed by the world-renowned CPDRC Dancing Inmates.
"Drug den? Dugay naman ng drugs diha. In fairness to her maayo to (Dancing Inmates) but she didn't see the dark side of the CPDRC. The dark secrets of CPDRC, unsa may gibuhat niya?… But sige na lang. I hope the public would see nga naningkamot ta," he said.
"Pero dako nakong garbo nga ubos sa atong administrasyon kita ra ang nakabungkag sa sindikato dinha sa CPDRC. Kung sa panahon ni Gwen ang ilang makubi mao ra ang pag-pasayaw-sayaw sa piniriso, apan lahi ko, tungod akong girisgo ang akong kinabuhi apil na sa akong pamilya para banggaon ang sindikato sa drogas dinha… Ang problema sa drogas dili madala ug sayaw-sayawan lang," he said.
As to him being part of the "honor list" of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Davide said he did not ask and apply for it, saying it was the sole decision of the agency.
"Na "S" siguro siya," he said.
"Dili lalim ang mapasidunggan isip usa sa Top Governors of the Philippines. Of course Gwen wouldn't know how challenging the feeling is because such an honor has been eluding her for nine straight years. Akong gipasalamatan ang DILG ug ang Duterte administration sa maong pasidungog. I am honored in as much as I am humbled, but still I take it as a challenge," he added.
Davide said Garcia did not also miss making fun of his name. Davide's name was erroneously spelled "Hilarious" in the DILG list of 10 governors who helped the government in its anti-drug war.
"Asta pa ang pagka-spelling sa akong pangan diha sa list sa DILG iya pang gibugal-bugalan.Apan bahala nalang og tawgon ko'g HILARIOUS DAVIDE basta dili lang ko anggaan ug GWEN BALILI," he said.
He was referring to the controversial lot purchased in 2008 by the provincial government during the Garcia administration.
Moreover, Davide said the transfer of management of CDPRC to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is not yet final, saying the task force CPDRC is still looking into its viability. (FREEMAN)