Guv continues trips to towns, city in 3rd district

THREE days after her office at the Capitol was padlocked and boarded up, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday visited Toledo City and Aloguinsan to attend a mass wedding, a medical mission and a Sinulog dance competition.

This as her staff, whose contracts are dependent on her term in office, took leave on the day they were supposed to report to Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale.

Garcia has eight coterminous employees. Those who are on leave are her chief of staff, Elizabeth Francia; Ronald Canopio, Jerry Winona Catipay, Edwin Mixdon, Maria Elena Samson and Amor Sarmiento.

Rowena Zulueta has not renewed her contract with the Capitol while Grace Paulino reported to work in Magpale's office yesterday.

Other casual employees assigned to the governor also reported for work as they have been absorbed by Acting Vice Gov. Julian Daan.

Staff

Magpale earlier issued a memorandum directing the governor's staff to report to her office or be cited for insubordination.

Garcia thanked Acting Vice Gov. Julian Daan for taking in some of her co-terminous personnel.

Daan admitted that it is difficult fitting in 100 personnel in his Provincial Board member's office. But he said that they would have enough space once they move to the vice governor's office.

Magpale earlier announced her intention to transfer to the governor's office.

Garcia, who will run for the third district seat in Congress, received a warm welcome in Toledo City and Aloguinsan, whose top officials are allied with her party, One Cebu.

In Toledo City, Mayor Aurelio Espinosa and Vice Mayor Arlene Zambo said they will explain Garcia's plight to the people.

Zambo said Toledo City is a significant factor in the May elections because it has the biggest voting population in the third district.

Song

From Toledo, the governor proceeded to Aloguinsan where she was welcomed by Mayor Augustus Caesar Moreno, Vice Mayor Cynthia Moreno, municipal councilors, students and barangay health workers.

When Garcia entered the Alodome gym, the One Cebu song was played.

The governor, carrying image of the Sto. Niño, danced together with the town's teachers during the Sinulog dance competition.

In a related development, Garcia's lawyers threatened to file charges against Magpale and some officials of the Capitol and PNP for padlocking the governor's office last Wednesday.

Christina Garcia-Frasco, the governor's daughter, and lawyer Tranquil Salvador III described the padlocking of Garcia's office as illegal.

Lawyer Dara Acusar, Magpale's legal consultant, said they will answer the charges in court.

Garcia was suspended for six months by Malacañang for abuse of authority, but she stayed in her office at the Capitol since Dec. 19.