Rama seeks Gwen’s suspension over CBRT

CEBU CITY , Philippines — Mayor Michael Rama of Cebu City has asked Malacañang to suspend Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in connection with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project.

Rama filed an administrative complaint with the Office of the President.

He said Garcia committed abuse of authority, oppression and grave misconduct as well as graft and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees when she issued a memorandum to stop civil works on the bus project.

Rama said Garcia’s action would ”set a dangerous precedent and evince a chilling effect on the extent of a provincial governor’s administrative powers over local affairs.”

He said Garcia could not interfere with the affairs of Cebu City, which is a highly urbanized city.

Rama said Garcia did not oppose the project in the past and even attended the groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 27 last year.

The camp of Garcia, meanwhile, said the memorandum of the governor was “an act as a steward of the properties of Cebu province.”

”It is the right of the property owner to stop it and not meant to meddle with Cebu City,” provincial legal officer Donato Villa told The FREEMAN.

Villa cited Garcia’s memorandum dated Feb. 27 on possible violations of law, noting that the project is within the buffer zone of the provincial capitol building, which is considered a national historical landmark.

“If she did not take action, it would be dereliction of duty on her part because she is not protecting the property,” Villa said.

He said Garcia has yet to receive a copy of Rama’s complaint.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan and League of Municipalities in the Philippines-Cebu have issued resolutions to stop the project, saying it was not authorized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). 

Garcia had earlier said the capitol building is entitled to “priority protection from modification or demolition resulting from all government projects.”

Government projects that may potentially affect the integrity of historical sites should be referred to the NCCA, she added. — The Freeman