Saavedra seeks to disqualify Garcia

CEBU, Philippines - Businessman Crisologo Saavedra yesterday filed a disqualification case against suspended Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia before the Commission on Elections.

Saavedra sought Garcia’s disqualification from running for public office following her conviction in the administrative case for grave misconduct over the provincial government’s controversial purchase of the Balili property in Naga City in 2008. Saavedra was also one of the complainants in the case.

Garcia is seeking for a seat in congress for the 3rd district of Cebu, replacing her brother, Representative Pablo John Garcia, who is running for governor in the May 13 elections.

According to Saavedra, as stated in section 66 of the local government code, “the penalty of removal from office as a result of an administrative investigation shall be considered a bar to the candidacy of the respondent for any elective position.”

Saavedra said that as one of the complainants of the Balili case and as a taxpayer, “I have moral and legal obligations in behalf of the Cebuanos to file for her disqualification.”

He clarified that he was not asked by any political party or official to file a case but it was his own will as an advocate against corruption.

“Even before, I have never been dictated by anybody,” explained Saavedra, adding that even in the past cases he has filed against Garcia and other officials or offices, he has done it on his own.

However, the camp of Garcia is not moved at all with the complaint.

“We are not worried at all. First because there is no legal basis and second is we know the motive,” said Atty. Lito Astillero, one of the legal counsels of Garcia.

Astillero said that even as stated in the resolution of the Ombudsman, Garcia and Provincial Board member Juan Bolo’s administrative liabilities were mooted as indicated in the Aguinaldo doctrine.

Further, Astillero said that they are aware of the motives of Saavedra. He said that Saavedra may have taken it against Garcia when she chose not to meet with him when he went to his office last month for a ‘friendly discussion.’

Saavedra said he has no malicious intent to destroy Garcia. According to him, he asked for her disqualification because he believes that the “people of Cebu deserve a better candidate.”

Acting Cebu Provincial Supervisor Atty. Eddie Aba was not in his office to receive Saavedra’s complaint. It was election assistant Arthur Patiga who received it and advised Saavedra to comply with the requirements in filing a disqualification case.

Saavedra would need to submit 11 copies of his complaint and all the necessary papers that need to be notarized, said Patiga. He would also have to pay 10,000 as filing fee and P100 as legal research fee.

Patiga said that the complaint would be accommodated since according to Section 3 of resolution 9523, “The Petition shall be filed any day after  the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy, but not later than  the date of proclamation.”  (FREEMAN)