Family reveals Vice Guv's real condition: Sanchez has lung cancer

CEBU, Philippines - The family of Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. bared in a press conference yesterday that he is suffering from lung cancer, which is now on stage four.

The family met the media yesterday to bare the real state of his health.

Sanchez, the other day, submitted his counter affidavit to the Ombudsman in relation to the Balili lot purchase case, through his lawyer. Concern about his health was raised due to the fact that instead of signing the document, it was his thumbprint that was affixed.

The daughters of the vice governor, Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez-Zaballero and Gerlynda “Gerly” Sanchez-Spiller together with Sanchez’s elder sister, Edna, and nephew Busay, Cebu City barangay captain Eliodoro ‘Yody’ Sanchez, were the ones who faced the media to make the announcement.

“It is really very sad to say and I am here to inform you that he (Sanchez) is diagnosed with lung cancer. It is very painful on our part. We have to accept this whatever fate that God has in store for us,” Zaballero said.

 Zaballero said the family is not giving up and their father is fighting hard. They are also calling Sanchez’s close friends to say prayers for his recovery.

His family is also asking for understanding from their father’s friends that they have to limit the number of visitors.

She said that her father cannot talk and the arms are swollen thus it is quite impossible for him to write his signature which is very long.

“Hope his thumb mark serves his right, don’t take his right away, if it is acknowledged by law, let it be,” Zaballero said adding that the counter-affidavit on Balili case is “well thought of.”

“If just in time that he cannot sign and if the thumb mark will do, please give him that right. He wants the truth to come out. So please let’s give it to him,” she said.

Zaballero explained why it took time for them to announce that Sanchez is suffering from lung cancer as they had to make sure on the health problem of their father and went to several doctors.

The family still plans to bring Sanchez abroad, but Zaballero said, his condition does not allow him anymore to fly.

Meanwhile, the family hit at a political group at the Capitol apparently referring to Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s camp, which they say added to their pain and frustration.

“Even if we are not connected in any political group, but we are hurt because we can still vividly remember those words uttered by other political group as saying, they will make the life of my dad at the Capitol miserable,” an emotional Zaballero said.

Spiller said that everything was taken out from their father’s office and is being stripped of legislative powers.

“I hope that hurt feeling, that miserable feeling that my dad went through it will not happen to any one else,” Spiller said.

They urged acting Vice Governor Agnes Magpale to uphold whatever is due to the office of the vice governor she is occupying right now.

Magpale said she just worked hard as an acting vice governor although few staff of Sanchez do not seem to appreciate it.

At least two staff, who she said are not following rules of punching in and out of their office, which Magpale already reported it to Zaballero also.

Magpale said she was told by Zaballero to impose discipline to those staff, who violate rules even if they are Sanchez’s relatives.

Magpale said she refused to sign the vouchers of the staff of Sanchez, because of their absences.

Garcia, on the other hand, did not wish to engage in a word war with the family of Sanchez especially since he is in such a precarious condition and more so this Lenten season.

Garcia, however, emphasized that public service is always a very stressful job and if one decides to go into public service should be prepared to face all possible challenges.

“That’s the way the life of a public servant goes, it may be fair, it may not be fair, more times it is not fair but that is how we must accept public service,” Garcia said.

Both Garcia and Magpale heed the request of the family for prayers.

“I believe the family has asked for prayers, that much we can give,” Garcia said. – with Mylen P. Manto, Correspondent/NLQ (FREEMAN)