Over cases involving balili property Davide welcomes sandigan ruling

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is happy that the criminal cases against former governor and now Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia in connection with the Capitol’s purchase of the controversial Balili property in Barangay Tinaan, Naga City has progressed.

Davide was reacting to the denial by the Sandiganbayan of the motion to dismiss filed by Garcia arguing that the continued trial has violated her right to speedy trial.

“It is good that the case is moving. Dugay nanang kasoha maayo nang galihok… Nalipay lang ko nga naglihok nang kaso ron,” Davide told reporters.

The governor said the anti-graft court was right in not granting the motion of Garcia because there was no “inordinate” delay in the case contrary to the former governor’s claim.

He said the entire proceeding is part of the normal process and that there are also other cases pending before the Sandiganbayan.

“Dili man lang iyang kaso ang giatiman sa Sandigan. Kadaghang kaso sa Sandigan,” Davide said.

The Special Second Division of Sandiganbayan rejected Garcia’s plea to have her graft cases dismissed on grounds of inordinate delay and violation of her rights to a speedy disposition of cases. 

According to the magistrates, there was no unreasonable lull in the movement of the cases. They said that if there is any delay, it is reasonable as this is part of the ordinary processes of justice.

The Office of the Ombudsman indicted Garcia because of her role as then governor of Cebu in the purchase of a 24.7-hectare property in Naga City in 2008. 

The Province of Cebu spent over P98 million in public funds to buy the Balili property, which the anti-graft body found out that a big part covering around 196,696 square meters is underwater. — FPL (FREEMAN)