TRO case before court of appeals, Garcia hires Corona lawyer

CEBU, Philippines - Suspended Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has hired one of the defense lawyers of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona to argue on her petition questioning the six months suspension meted against her by the Office of the President after she was found guilty of grave abuse of authority.

Lawyer Tranquil Salvador, III will lead Garcia’s battery of lawyers in the oral argument on the petition for review with prayer for temporary restraining order / status quo ante set by the Court of Appeals on January 10.

Salvador met with Garcia yesterday at the Capitol to discuss the legal points of the case. He was joined by the Governor’s father, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia; One Cebu gubernatorial candidate and third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia; and lawyer Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, governor’s daughter.

Salvador, after the closed door meeting, told reporters that they are prepared and have strong oral arguments on Garcia’s case before the CA.

“Well yes, we are ready. We will be prepared for the oral argument. Siguro kung mababasa niyo ang petition, maganda iyong petition,” Salvador said. 

Salvador was one of the lawyers who defended Corona in the Senate Impeachment trial. He also served as one of the spokespersons for Corona.

Salvador and Frasco both belong to Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & De los Angeles law offices as line partner and associate partner, respectively.

Gov. Garcia told reporters that during the discussion, her father and brother who are both lawyers also shared their inputs while Frasco would also be part of the legal team.

“I trust my lawyers and I trust the law firm itself, it has an impeccable reputation. If you talk about preparation, I think they go even beyond, they walk that extra mile,” Garcia said adding that prayer is also most important.

Although she did not personally receive the suspension order from Malacañang, Gov. Garcia is deemed suspended since December 19, 2012 when the suspension order was served by the Department of Interior and Local Government which then administered the oath of office of Vice Governor Agnes Magpale as acting governor.

The Garcias questioned the legality of the suspension prompting her to stay in her office since December 19, 2012 while questioning the matter before the CA.

The case stemmed from the administrative complaint for alleged encroachment of legislative powers and grave misconduct and abuse of authority filed by the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. on November 8, 2010 before the Office of the President.

The DILG continued with the formal investigation despite the demise of Sanchez in April 2011.

Sanchez was represented by his lawyers with the assistance of his daughter, Engr. Grecilda Sanchez.

On July 31, 2012, the report of the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo dated July 26, 2012 was forwarded to the Office of the President finding Gov. Garcia guilty of grave abuse of authority with a recommended penalty of suspension for a period of six months.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. issued the suspension order against Gov. Garcia on December 17, 2012 which was served on December 19, 2012.—/FPL (FREEMAN)