Gwen to ask Sandigan for travel permit

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is set to ask for a permit to travel abroad from the Sandiganbayan so she could attend a business forum in China next month. 

The anti-graft court earlier issued three hold departure orders against Garcia and seven others charged with graft and technical malversation last month.

Garcia will represent the Philippines to speak at the Asia Entrepreneurship Forum on September 19-21, 2012 at Grand Hyatt Macau in Macau, China.

Former Malaysian Minister of Human Resources, Tan Sri Dr. Fong Chan Onn, chairman of International Advisory Panel, Enterprise Asia, invited Garcia as one of the guests of honor.

Other invited guests as economic ministers, entrepreneurs and managers of Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Spain, Scotland, United States and others.

Garcia is among the panelists in the ministerial dialogue on Investment Climate Update and Regional Trade Integration in Asia.

“Your endorsement for this event would definitely be an assurance of support and encouragement for Asian businesses to go global,” read the invitation dated May 2, 2012.

The Asia Entrepreneurship Forum (AEF2012) is conceived from the growing need for Asian businesses to connect, create a synergistic business environment and take sustainable actions to propel Asian businesses to greater heights.

Its objective is to identify opportunities to shape the region’s entrepreneurship agenda for the coming years.

The AEF2012 is Asia’s largest gathering of around 500 top entrepreneurs and industry movers.

The Sandiganbayan’s second division issued the orders barring Garcia and the other accused from leaving the country without clearance from the court.

It put their names on the hold departure list of the Bureau of Immigration.

Garcia has filed a motion for reconsideration on the orders. —/LPM - THE FREEMAN