'No more dancing' at Cebu jail

CEBU CITY -- Did the dancing inmates dance their last dance with Michael Jackson’s choreographer Travis Payne?

Not so, said Capitol consultant on information and revenue generation Rory Jon Sepulveda. But other sources said there are no more dancing exercises at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC).

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He did clarify that CPDRC is not about dancing but rehabilitation.

Dancing made the CPDRC inmates an international phenomenon on the video-sharing website YouTube.

Because so many people want to see the inmates dance, Capitol consultant on security Byron Garcia scheduled every last Saturday of the month as CPDRC’s open house when the public can watch the inmates dance.

But last Saturday’s dance was canceled.

Some of those who waited at the Capitol compound for a ride to the CPDRC heard rumors that a conflict between Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Byron caused the cancellation of the dance.

Sepulveda denied that a conflict between the siblings caused the cancellation, while Byron said he does not know the reason behind the cancellation.

Another Garcia sibling, Nelson, also said there is no conflict between his sister and brother.

Choreographer Gwen Lador also did not know the reason behind the cancellation but said she had resigned last January 28 as choreographer of the inmates. This fell on the day the governor issued a memorandum stating that all CPDRC-related activities will be handled by the governor as jailer.

“I’m just a choreographer. I just do whatever the director tells me to do and that director is Sir Byron. He makes the concept and I choreograph,” said Lador in Bisaya, explaining that she does not want any other director, hence, she resigned.

But Sepulveda said they will look for another choreographer. If they won’t find one, he said the inmates are already in the position to do the choreography themselves.

A day after the governor issued the memorandum, Byron said he took his personal stuff from CPDRC.

He said the memorandum was unclear on where he stands as far as CPDRC is concerned.

“I’m just an ordinary employee at the Capitol. If this is the wish of the governor, I will obey. As far as I’m concerned, I did my job,” said Byron, who was informed by CPDRC warden Lito Gabuya and Lador that he could not give orders at the jail anymore.

Since “signals are still unclear,” Byron will stay away from CPDRC and the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) as of the moment.

But Sepulveda explained that Byron’s job description is Capitol consultant on security. He still has a say on CPDRC and CSBT matters as consultant but Sepulveda clarified that there are also personnel heading the two offices.

CPDRC is headed by warden Gabuya while a new memorandum signed by Provincial Administrator Eduardo Habin, with authority from the governor, indicated the transfer of Carmen Quijano from the Office of the Provincial Treasurer to the CSBT.

Habin clarified that Quijano was originally assigned at the CSBT as local revenue collection officer but was recalled to the Office of the Governor and later assigned to the Office of the Provincial Treasurer.

Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre does not want to speculate as to what may be behind the transfer but said Quijano is just going back to her mother unit, which is the CSBT.

Before the memorandum, Eva Encabo was the acting chief collection officer.

Byron made it to the news when the system of collecting a P5 entrance fee was implemented at the CSBT.

Sepulveda said no official’s power was clipped and emphasized that Gabuya is the CPDRC warden.

He also corrected the misconception that Bryon, a Capitol consultant, is the head of the jail.

Sun.Star Cebu tried to interview Gabuya on Friday in relation to the issue but he said that he could not speak without clearance from the governor.

Sepulveda said the governor visited CPDRC on Friday to explain the jail system.

“CPDRC is not a performing institution. It is a center for rehabilitation. We have to emphasize their integration to mainstream society, to improve their conduct, behavior and discipline,” said Sepulveda.

Leo Suico, the “mayor of the mayores” in the jail, confirmed to Sun.Star Cebu that it has been a week since they danced. Dancing was supposed to be their daily exercise.

From what he heard, it was the governor, as jailer, who ordered that the dancing be stopped.

“Mahal namo si Sir Byron pero mao ma’y sugo sa panahon. Sayang, pero agad lang mi sa governor (We love sir Byron but since this is the situation now...we will just do what the governor tells us),” said Suico.

“The culture of discipline and excellence will continue,” said Sepulveda. (Jujemay G. Awit/Sun.Star Cebu)