Expenses for oathtaking Capitol pays for Sanchez's debt

CEBU, Philippines - After 18 months, the Capitol would be paying the obligations left by the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. for his oath taking ceremony amounting to P865,000.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said they are taking care of the payables and the checks are now ready to pay the venue, food, flowers and giveaways.

Sanchez took his oath separate from other provincial officials on June 29, 2010 before Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Meinrado Paredes at the Mariner’s Court in Cebu City.

Sanchez during the said occasion also administered the oath of office of his allies including Mayor Antonio Canoy of San Fernando, Mayor Teresa Alegado of Consolacion, Mayor Geraldine Yapha of Pinamungajan and Mayor Democrito Diamante of Tuburan.

Sanchez’s daughter, Engr. Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez-Zaballero, learned about the payables after the death of her father when she bought flowers near the Santo Rosario Parish Church and a vendor approached her.

The flowers amounting to P35,000 was charged against the Office of the Vice Governor.

Zaballero further learned that when her father was still alive, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia allegedly refused to approve the payment of all the expenses incurred during the oathtaking ceremony.

She said it was part of the harassment done to his father during his time as the vice governor.

Garcia and Sanchez were not in good terms since before the 2010 elections until his death last April.

Garcia’s chief of staff, Elizabeth Francia, denied the allegations. There was a problem with regards to procurement procedures since it did not follow audit rules, resulting in the delay in the processing of payment, Francia said.

Magpale corroborated Francia’s statement saying they are working backwards to complete the requirements to release the funds from the provincial coffers.

Zaballero said she was able to talk about the matter with Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, a close friend of Garcia.

Zaballero said she had even issued a warning that should there be no payment on or before December 2011, she would take some action as she would lose nothing considering that she is not a government official or a politician.

She did not elaborate, though, on her warning.

Learning about the payment, Zaballero said she will now “keep her mouth shut and leave the past behind.”

Magpale asked Zaballero not to worry anymore about the unpaid obligations of her father. – (FREEMAN)