Sandigan issues HDOs vs Cebu gov, 8 others

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan’s Second Division yesterday issued three hold departure orders (HDOs) against Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and seven other former officials and private individuals in connection with two graft charges and a technical malversation case for an alleged land purchase anomaly in 2008.

The case stemmed over the questionable purchase of a 24.7-hectare property worth over P98 million for a housing project in Tinaan, Naga City.

Graft probers learned that a big part of the so-called Balili property covering around 196,696 square meters is submerged in seawater, rendering it unusable for a housing project.

The immigration bureau said it had not received the HDOs as of press time. – Michael Punongbayan, Evelyn Macairan