Magpale's 'padlock tactics' blasted

CEBU, Philippines - Two legislators allied with suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia criticized the decision of Acting Governor Agnes Magpale to lock the conference room and social hall of the Capitol building.

Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, a brother of the suspended governor, said that there seems to be a pattern in the consistent orders to stop operations related to his sister.

"I think she wants to leave a legacy as the padlocking unelected acting governor. Sugbo TV, Sugbo News and now the social hall. She apparently plans to measure her achievements by the number of offices she padlocks. She will deliver her SOPA, State of the Padlocks Address," he said.

Sugbo TV and Sugbo News, two cable programs created under the administration of Garcia to help promote Cebu, were halted and recently rebranded due to the high finances and the political color linked to them.

Dara Acusar, legal and media affairs consultant of Magpale, said last Monday that the order to lock the conference room and social hall of the Capitol was needed since it was being used as the sleeping quarters of supporters of the suspended governor.

Acusar clarified that the two areas can still be used for official matters.

Representative Pastor Jun Alcover of the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy agreed though that if there are really people using the said rooms in the Capitol for personal purposes, then Magpale should have them arrested.

But Alcover defended the members of the New Guardians for Freedom and Democracy, which he founded, who were tagged as those who used the Capitol-run rooms.

Alcover said that that their members seen in the Capitol are mostly those living near the Capitol grounds.

Apart from the rally in front of the Capitol grounds and during the dance of Garcia during Sinulog where Alcover ordered his men to guard Garcia, he clarified that he did not direct his members to be in the Capitol but said they are there of their own will. 

Alcover said that it is his members' way of expressing their support to the suspended governor.

"Si Gov Gwen wala'y police escort. Concerned lang sila sa security. Suya lang na sila kay wala man gud sila grupo sama sa New Guardians ug ANAD partylist nga nagkahiusa ug well organized," he said.

Alcover stressed that the presence of the New Guardians in the Capitol should not be a concern as they do not pose a threat since they do not have weapons.

Alcover said that they will continue to support Garcia since she is the only governor in Cebu that has expressed her opposition to Communism and has declared war against insurgency.  — (FREEMAN)