Garcia and Sanchez richest Capitol officials

CEBU - Cebu Province, the richest local government unit in the country, is also governed by a tandem of multi-millionaires, based on the latest Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of the provincial officials released by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Vice Governor Gregorio “Greg” Sanchez remained the richest official in the province with over P100 million declared net worth as of December 31, 2007. Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is tailing with P92.5 million.

The vice governor declared a total of P154.6 million in assets, which are mostly real properties including a P39-million house and lot in Maria Luisa Village and a total liability of P55.4 million. His businesses include the Lacto Pafi Techno Resources Incorporated and the Blue Ocean Distribution Company.

Garcia, on the other hand, declared a newly-acquired house and lot in Cebu City with an estimated fair market value of P9 million. She likewise own a residential building, agricultural and commercial lots in Ormoc City with an estimated market value of P74.8 million and a Mitsubishi Pajero she acquired in 2003 at P1.4 million.

Among the business interests of the governor are the GGC Group, Incorporated and GGC Services where she is a shareholder and as a proprietor of the GGC Enterprises. All of these business entities are however located in Ormoc City.

Garcia has the most number of relatives in government than any other provincial officials. She declared 16 relatives holding various government positions.

These include her father, Cebu 2nd District Rep. Pablo Garcia, her brother and Cebu 3rd District Rep. Pablo John Garcia and another brother Winston Garcia, who is the current president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System.

Two other brothers of the governor, Byron and Nelson, are also in government. Byron serves as the Capitol consultant on security while Nelson serves as chief of staff of Pablo in congress.

The governor also has eight cousins and three nephews in government, some of them in the Capitol.

Based on the Ombudsman’s files, the provincial board is also dominated by millionaires with only two of its members do not belong to the millionaires’ list. Most of the board members have declared a net worth of more than a million pesos.

However, three board members’ files have yet to be included because they were not found as of yesterday. Board members Juan Bolo, Victoria Corominas and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Bea Calderon have either not submitted their SALN or their files were mixed with that of the other filers.

Two board members who declared a net worth of less than a million are PB member Julian Daan with declared net worth of P824,000 and Joven Mondigo, Jr. with P570,000.

Those who belong to the millionaires list include Agnes Magpale with P42.6 million; Peter John Calderon, P9.9 million; Victor Maambong, P4.5 million; Rosemarie Durano, P4.093 million; Teresita Celis, P3.8 million; Jose Maria Gastardo, P3.4 million; Wilfredo Caminero, P3.1 million; Wenceslao Gakit, P3.02 million and Ian Zambo, P1.2 million.

Meanwhile, only one of the reported six Cebu City councilors whose SALN were not found by the anti-graft office has not actually filed her documents.

Councilors Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, Roberto Cabarrubias, Nestor Archival, Edwin Jagmoc and Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa all said they were able to file their respective SALN last April like the rest of the other government officials.

Sanguniang Kabataan Federation President Rengelle Pelayo admitted she was not able to file the said document because there was a change among her office staff earlier this year. – Fred P. Languido and Ferliza C. Contratista/WAB (THE FREEMAN)