Magpale camp prepares raps v. Garcia’s staff

THE legal team of Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale is preparing the proper documents for the filing of administrative and criminal charges against the coterminous staff of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Among them is Elizabeth Francia, Garcia’s chief of staff.

Laywer Dara Acusar, Magpale’s spokesperson, said there are sufficient grounds to file criminal cases for direct assault, disobedience and trespass against Francia and other culpable individuals.

Magpale, in an interview, cited insubordination as an administrative case against the staff of Garcia who did not report to her.

“The criminal aspect is in addition to the administrative aspect. And the issue of insubordination arises from many incidents, including their failure to report to the acting governor. In fact, on that separate matter, there is also the criminal aspect of abandonment of public office or employment”, Acusar said in a text message to Sun.Star Cebu.

Earlier, Francia and Amor Sarmiento, Garcia’s executive assistant, filed charges of grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, grave coercion and graft against Magpale, Acusar, Chief Supt. Marcelino Garbo of the Police Regional Office 7, Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag, Senior. Insp. Eduardo Caranza, Insp. Alvin Enguito, Provincial Administrator Eduardo Habin and engineer Hector Jamora before the Visayas Ombudsman.

Magpale said Garcia’s staff, who are said to be on leave, had yet to report to her office as of yesterday.

They are Francia, Sar­miento, Ronald Conopio, Jerry Winnona Catipay, Edwin Mixdon and Ma. Elena Samson.

Francia told Sun.Star Cebu she has yet to recover from the trauma she experienced when the office of the governor was padlocked last week.

She described the incident as “inhumane and traumatic.”

She also questioned the cases that the Magpale camp will file against her, saying they can’t be accused of trespassing since it was their office.

“It is so difficult to report to someone who has trampled on you right,” Francia said.

Magpale said they submitted the requirements to the Commission on Elections regarding their request to swap employees with Acting Vice Gov. Julia Daan yet they decided not to pursue the matter.

Magpale’s coterminus employees will start working under Daan on Monday.

In another development, the four government vehicles used by Garcia and her backup security—a Nissan Patrol, a Nissan Patrol Safari and two Toyota Hilux--are now in Magpale’s custody.

Eva Encabo, head of the Provincial General Services Office, said Magpale’s chief of staff Basiliso Sungcad signed the acknowledgement receipt last Feb. 4.

However, Magpale continues to use the Toyota Hilux of her backup security.

Daan now uses the Mitsubishi Strada that had been assigned to Magpale.