Ombudsman denies Garcia's appeal

MANILA -- The Office of the Ombudsman has denied the motion for reconsideration filed by suspended Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia over the alleged anomalous purchase of a lot in 2008.

Garcia is facing graft and technical malversation cases for purchasing a 24.92-hectare property in Tiga-an, Naga, Cebu worth P98.9 million wherein 19.67 hectares were submerged in water.

A 21-page order signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales denied the provincial governor's appeal for lack of merit.

“Without doubt, the purchase of the Balili properties is grossly and manifestly disadvantageous to the government …given that the substantial portion thereof is submerged in seawater and cannot be utilized for the province’s housing program,” the ruling stated.

The Ombudsman also denied the similar motions filed by Garcia's co-accused Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Juan Bolo; Provincial Budget Officer Emme Gingoyon; Provincial Appraisal Committee chairman and Provincial Assessor Anthony Sususco, Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre and OIC Provincial Engineer Eulogio Pelayre; and private defendants Romeo and Amparo Balili.

They were all named co-accused in the first graft case while Garcia was the lone defendant in the second graft charge and the technical malversation case. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)