Woman's motive,actuation questioned

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia questioned why the woman allegedly being pimped has allowed herself to be brought to the provincial jail facility when she was offered a decent job by her recruiter in Mindanao.

Garcia also expressed doubt about her motive of coming out in the open when the woman has showed documents that she is a live-in partner of an inmate she had visited at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) in Kalunasan, Cebu City.

“Wild horse cannot drag you to the CPDRC kung di ka gustong moadto. At any point kung hain ka gikan, hangtod moabot ka didto, you can always shout out foul, gibinuangan ko, gi-traffic ko, gihimo ko’ng prostitute,” Garcia told reporters.

The woman showed to CPDRC authorities a certification from the barangay captain of Lamac, Consolacion that she is a live-in partner of an inmate for 13 years. She also showed a community tax certificate issued by the municipality on August 2, 2012.

“If these documentary requirements are met then the process continues and that therefore a visitor’s pass was issued to her,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that it is already beyond the responsibility of the jail warden or other authorities at the CPDRC to go to Consolacion and ask whether or not the certification is authentic.

“There is always the presumption of regularity in the performance of public officials’ functions. As far as CPDRC is concerned, all documentary requirements were met,” she said.

Capitol consultant on jail matters Jose Ma. Gastardo has recommended that there is really no need for further investigation on the matter.

“As far as we are concerned, I believe that we have not been remiss in our responsibilities,” Garcia said.

Due to the incident, stricter policy is being imposed in the issuance of visitor’s pass at the CPDRC with additional requirements.

Garcia said that the affidavit of two disinterested persons is added to the barangay certification stating that the couple are married or are living together. - THE FREEMAN