Roque: No plan to file charges vs Cebu’s Garcia

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesman Harry Roque yesterday denied he is planning to file charges against Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for supposedly defying the government’s policy on testing returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs).

Garcia said she received information that Roque and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra may take legal action against a decision of the provincial government to adopt a different swabbing procedure for returning Filipinos.

Garcia said it was Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Jose Velasco Jr. who informed her about Roque’s alleged plan to file cases against her.

She denied defying the government, saying she was just implementing policies that will not burden the people.

“There is no truth to reports that I am planning to file charges against Gov. Gwen Garcia. We have clarified this with (Interior) Secretary (Eduardo) Año. He said he just told former Supreme Court justice Presbitero Velasco, head of the League of Governors, that we would talk to Gov. Gwen Garcia,” Roque said.

“It would be difficult to file charges against Gov. Gwen. It’s not part of my duty as a spokesman,” he added.

Roque described Garcia as his “BFF” or “best friend forever.”

He said President Duterte and Garcia were set to meet yesterday to discuss the protocols for returning overseas Filipinos.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases requires returning overseas Filipinos to undergo quarantine for at least 10 days and swab tests on the seventh day.

Garcia only requires the ROFs to undergo swab tests upon arrival at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

After the swab tests, the ROFs will be taken to a hotel where they will stay for at least three days while waiting for the results of their tests.

Cebu residents who test negative for the virus will be allowed to go home, but are required to undergo another swab tests on the seventh day.

Residents of other areas will be turned over to their respective local government units.