Gwen on Balili case dismissal: “I feel vindicated”

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said she feels vindicated from all the accusations against her after the Sandiganbayan dismissed the graft cases filed against her and seven others with regard to the controversial purchase of the Balili property in Naga City, Cebu.

With this development, the governor is optimistic about the property’s prospects as she said there are developers who have expressed interest in developing the area.

Garcia, together with other public and private proponents, Juan Bolo, Anthony Sususco, Roy Salubre, Eulogio Pelayre, Emme Gingoyon, Romeo Balili and Amparo Balili, were cleared by the Sandiganbayan division of the corruption cases by granting the demurer to evidence they filed before the court.

“I feel vindicated, of course, but as I'm just happy for my family because they, too, are vindicated. I'm also happy for seven others that have been cleared,” Garcia told reporters yesterday during her live press conference at the Capitol.

Garcia narrated the hassle they experienced while the cases were ongoing -- from traveling to Manila to appear in court to incurring all related expenses.

“And I feel that once again, it has been proven the truth will set us free, justice has been served,” Garcia added.

In an 80-page ruling, the Sandiganbayan decided to dismiss the cases because the prosecution failed to prove the accusations.

“It is clear that the prosecution failed to muster the required quantum of evidence. There being no sufficient basis to sustain the indictments, the Court left with no choice but to dismiss the cases,” part of the ruling stated. The ruling was promulgated on November 26, 2020.

Garcia said for the eight years that the case was pending, it was not only her reputation that was damaged but also that of her family.

Now that the cases regarding the Balili property were dismissed by the court, the Cebu Provincial Government is open for those who are interested for the development of the more than 20 hectares of property in Naga.

“Karon, we are certainly looking at this property, there are so many who are interested, especially now nga ang per square meter price market value is pegged at -- I just asked our assessor -- P7, 500 per square meter,” Garcia said.

The Capitol bought the 24.7-hectare of the Balili property at P400 per square meter in 2008. In 2018, the previous administration under the leadership of then governor and now Vice Governor Hilario Davide III donated two hectares of the land to the landslide victims in Naga.

“Ang nahabilin nato is 22.5 hectares, titled, alienable and disposable. Kanang 22.5 hectares at P7,500 is now valued at P1.6 billion,” Garcia said. — JMD (FREEMAN)