Sanchez usurpation case vs. Garcia DILG denies Gov's motion for recon

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government has denied Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s motion for reconsideration filed relative to the order dated August 31, 2011 admitting the formal offer of exhibits in the usurpation complaint filed by the counsels of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr.

In his order dated November 29, 2011, DILG Legal Service Director Jesus Doque IV said the motion was denied for utter lack of merit.

In the same order, the DILG also admitted the formal offer of evidence filed by the complainant marked as Exhibits “1-112” including its sub-markings for the purpose for which they were offered subject to the appreciation of the office.

“The admission of exhibits does not mean that the Investigating Authority has already passed upon the weight of such evidence instead it will only mean that the exhibits are admitted and subject to the appreciation of the investigating body if they are relevant or not,” Doque in his Order said.

Both parties are required to submit their respective memorandum within a non-extendible period of 15 days upon receipt of the order which will include all their arguments and issues on the case.

Thereafter, the case will be submitted for resolution.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo who visited Cebu recently, has assured the resolution of the usurpation of authority case against Garcia soon. He did not give a definite answer if the case would be resolved before the year ends as it is still pending with the legal department.

DILG hearing officer Ranny Spencer Palisoc terminated last September 1 the series of hearings on the said complaint and ordered counsels of the respondent to submit their formal offer of documentary evidence within 15 days from the said date, and another 15 days for the complainant’s counsel to file comment.

The complainant manifested to file an additional formal offer with new evidence and documents that were marked prompting Palisoc to give another ten days and the same number of days for the respondent to comment.

The order issued last November 29, 2001 is the offshoot of all the documentary evidence submitted. After the submission of respective memorandum laying out the legal arguments of both parties, the DILG is given 30 days to make a recommendation through a resolution of the case, to the Office of the President.

Sanchez, who died on April 29 this year, earlier filed the complaint for acts of usurpation against Garcia and other Capitol officials after he was no longer allowed to appoint his consultants and employees. — (FREEMAN)