Gwen tells media: Careful of what you write about Balili

CEBU, Philippines - “Theorists, rumor-mongers and armchair analysts” be warned; Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will not tolerate foregone conclusions regarding the recent twist of the Balili case.

Garcia said she has been reading with much curiosity the many speculations and theories put forth by the members of the media, primarily the commentators and columnists, regarding the latest developments, this being the discovery of insufficient funds in the Balili account after a large withdrawal was made.

“Daghan na kaayong naghimu-himu na sad sa ilang kaugalingong mga conclusions ug raba ang mga conclusion buot ipagawas nga duna nasay nangawkaw niining kwartaha ni. I am now serving notice to everyone that this province and the provincial government will not hesitate to protect its name as I have done on my personal and official capacity and as chief executive of the provincial government,” Garcia said.

Garcia said she will not hesitate to protect the name of the provincial government and that she will serve notice to all “theorists, rumor-mongers and armchair analysts” that she will direct the legal officers to file the appropriate charges, primarily contempt, against those that will continue to comment on the case.

“It is not an appeal, it is a warning,” Garcia said.

Provincial legal officer Marino Martinquilla said it seems that these comments tend to influence the court in its decision on the matter. He said this is an act punishable by contempt.

“Amo hangyo, amo awhag nga please don’t do that. Otherwise as what the governor said, the province will exercise its right to protect the interests of the province. We will monitor starting today those columns and commentaries. Anyway, for all we know, ang korte man ang final arbiter aning kasuha,” Martinquilla said.

“Sayonan ra man ni sila maghimo og ilang conclusion. Unya in effect murag baliwala na lang bitaw ug pagdaot ug reputasyon ug mga tao. Basta lang mugawas nga sikat kay na ilang gipanuwat, gipanulti. This is a free country but there are also rights that can be protected under the law. And time and again we have legal remedies that can be resorted to,” Garcia said. 

The purchase of the Balili lot in Tinaan, Naga, became controversial last year after it was found out that a good part of the lot was really underwater. (THE FREEMAN)