Vice Governor Greg Sanchez: Thumbprint raises doubts on health

CEBU, Philippines - Ailing Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. has filed his counter-affidavit in the Balili case, but instead of affixing his signature, it only bears his thumbprint.

This has once again raised doubts on his health status.

The vice governor’s lawyer filed the counter-affidavit yesterday.

Sanchez has been named one of the respondents in the case along with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, members of the Provincial Board, and other Capitol officials and employees.

The case stemmed from the purchase of a property owned by the Balili family in barangay Tinaan, Naga City. The property is about 24 hectares and the province paid close to P100 million for it.

Later, it was found that much of the area is underwater or is a mangrove.

In his affidavit, Sanchez said that he strongly takes exception to the allegation of “gross inexcusable negligence for immediately approving through their Resolutions the purchase of the land in question” on January 14, 2008.

As presiding officer of PB, Sanchez said he exercised his ministerial duty by affixing his signature attesting to the action taken on said resolution authorizing Garcia to execute and sign for an in behalf of the Province of Cebu the Memorandum of Agreement for the sale of ten parcels of land.

On April 21, 2008, an amendatory resolution was presented by then PB Member Juan Bolo, but that session was presided by then PB Member Victor Maambong, since Sanchez was then acting Governor.

The two complainants of the case, Crisologo Saavedra and Manuel Manuel, who are both friends of Sanchez also executed manifestation regarding Sanchez’s “inadvertent inclusion” in their complaints.

Sanchez said that he was one of those who openly denounced the Balili deal and urged the return of the money paid by the provincial government of Cebu.

Lawyer Oliveros Kintanar, counsel of Sanchez, was the one who had the vice governor affix his thumbprint on the counter-affidavit.

He went to the hospital where Sanchez is confined along with Asst. City Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro.

Kintanar would not, however, elaborate on the reason why only a thumbprint was used and Sanchez did not sign the document.

Press Conference

Busay barangay captain Eliodoro “Yody” Sanchez, nephew of the vice-governor, said the family will hold a press conference this morning to reveal the real situation of the provincial official’s health.

In a press conference two weeks ago, Sanchez’s daughter Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez-Zaballero, said her father is well and the ailment is treatable as physician told them.

Zaballero and sister, Gerlyda “Gerly” Sanchez-Spiller said the vice governor is suffering from a throat infection and pneumonia.

Last January, Sanchez announced that his doctor had advised him to rest his voice.

Last week, Yody also said that his uncle can sign documents and walk around the hospital room as signs that official’s physical condition is improving.

Yody said, though, that his uncle was transferred to another hospital in Cebu City that is better equipped to take care of him.

 He said the Sanchez family does not want to disclose the name of the hospital to ensure that the vice governor would not get visitors and is able to rest well. —/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)