MANILA, Philippines — Lilibeth Romero, partner of the late veteran actor Eddie Garcia, said the icon of the Philippine cinema did not die in vain as she vowed to push a bill that would guarantee the safety of actors and other showbiz industry workers in their workplace.
According to a recent ABS-CBN News report, Lilibeth told the Senate panel that her partner’s death would have a greater meaning.
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“By doing so, (I will) make the whole Philippines understand that Eddie Garcia’s death will not be sacrificed in vain,” Lilibeth said.
“If it takes his untimely death to prevent future threats to actors, stuntmen and others inside the various production sets of television, film and movie industries, then I, together with the members of the Garcia family, will fight until the end to get the rights and the protection of his colleagues in place,” she added.
Lilibeth also said that her late partner would have supported the proposed measure.
“Kung ang pagkamatay ni Eddie Garcia ang magsisilbing gabay para wala nang peligro o panganib na mangyari sa loob at labas ng produksyon, then ito rin po ang huling kagustuhan ni Eddie Garcia,” she said.
“Naniniwala ako sa kasabihang ‘It’s better safe than sorry’ and ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ It’s better to be cautious with one’s actions than to feel remorse after one’s carelessness,” she added.
Romero also lambasted GMA Network for its alleged “gross negligence and unsafe working environment and the absence of a medical team on the set.”
In a press statement, GMA Network said last week that they complied with the rules and regulations on the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) law with respect to Garcia's case.
Eddie died last June after suffering a neck fracture while taping the now shelved GMA teleserye “Rosang Agimat.”