Unable to campaign for his candidacy: Geverola asks court to cite Gwen, Byron in contempt

Political detainee Jigger Geverola, who is running for councilor in Argao town, had filed a motion in court to cite for contempt of court Governor Gwen Garcia, provincial security consultant Byron Garcia, and warden Alito Gabuya.

Geverola, through his counsel Alfonso Cinco IV, accused the governor and the two jail officials of allegedly defying a court order that allows him to go out of jail at definite periods to campaign for his candidacy while being provided with security men.

The Regional Trial Court in Toledo City has issued an order last April 13 allowing Geverola to campaign outside of prison from April 22 to May 6 and to let him vote on May 14. It further ordered jail officials to provide him with security in the course of his campaign.

Geverola, in his motion, quoted Byron''s word from a newspaper report saying, "We are enemies. Why should I give security to my enemies?"

The motion also stated, "The act of Byron in blocking the aforesaid order is contumacious and contemptuous of the authority of this Honorable Court."

Geverola further alleged that Gwen had authorized Byron to "supervise the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, through the acquiescense of warden Gabuya."

Meanwhile at the Civil Service Commission-7, Geverola also filed a complaint against the governor and Byron for alleged illegal practices with prison guards of the CPDRC.

Geverola asked the CSC-7 "to look into some practices of prison guards at CPDRC obviously upon the order, command and approval" of the governor and her brother, Byron.

He alleged that some prison guards were assigned last year as bodyguards of some government officials in Boljoon and Sogod towns.

He also alleged that there was irregularity over the appointment of Gabuya as warden following the suspension of the previous warden Alfredo Abella.

The role of Byron as consultant in connection with decisions over jail matters was also questioned. "I presumed that the consultant is consulted no more, no less. It''s a common knowledge that Byron openly acted more than a consultant in the provincial jail," said Geverola.

Geverola has been in jail for three years for charges of rebellion in a Danao City court, and for charges of arson in a Toledo City court in connection with the burning of a bus reportedly by the rebels in 2004.

He had since then denied he was a rebel but admitted his connection with the National Democratic Front. He is now detained at a cell at the military''s Central Command but CPDRC retains jurisdiction over his detention.

For these complaints that Geverola already filed, Gwen and Byron are expected to answer them sooner. - Gregg M. Rubio/RAE