CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is facing charges before the Ombudsman for Capitol’s alleged failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the death of at least 2,504 residents of the province.
Partylist Sanlakas, which has chapters, in Cebu Province sued Garcia for grave negligence and grave misconduct on Monday, November 22, 2021.
“We intend to pursue justice for Cebuanos especially grieving families who suffered unnecessary deaths. We urged victims to contact us by texting me at 09273810081,” said Teodorico Navea, one of the three complainants and secretary general of Sanlakas.
The other two complainants are Celsa Santillan and Crescito Ditchon, both urban poor leaders of the group.
The complainants alleged that Garcia “consistently and unjustifiably downplayed and belittled or understated the dangerous, deadly, virulent and harmful impact of the COVID-19 despite the information available to her.”
This allegedly misled the public and led residents into complacency and indifference that they believed COVID-19 is a simple flu and could be treated by tuob (steam inhalation). They said Garcia advocated for tuob irresponsibly among Capitol employees.
In a statement to The Freeman, Garcia described the charges as mockery of the justice system.
“They are making a mockery of the justice system with this baseless and ridiculous complaint. All in their desperate attempt to gain media mileage, hoping to bolster their dwindling political stock. Intawon sad,” she said.
Vaccine, facilities
The complainants also alleged that Garcia “knowingly and grossly failed to aggressively lead for the immediate purchase of sufficient number of vaccines and/or conduct aggressive vaccination among its residents.”
Capitol allegedly failed to conduct massive, aggressive, and consistent public education regarding the necessity of vaccination as protection against COVID-19.
Capitol also allegedly failed to provide public service facilities, infrastructure, and activities such as massive mass testing, contact tracing, and providing funds despite high number of asymptomatic cases.
Funds
Garcia allegedly failed to prepare funds for the province’s public health hospitals with medicines, personnel, and facilities. Plantilla positions were allegedly not filled-up, which left provincial hospitals without medical directors.
The complaints alleged further that Garcia underused and withheld public funds allocated for her office in 2020-2021, which accounted for nearly 80 percent of the total budget of the province for COVID-19 response.
“Thereby exacerbating or leading to, instead of mitigating the grave risks of, if not untimely COVID deaths. Out of the more than thirteen (13) billion pesos of the Province, in 2020, over three (3) billion were spent for COVID response while residents suffered massive loss of livelihood and income support and necessitated economic support and compensation,” the complaint reads.
Swabbing
The complainants also said that Garcia defied the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on the conduct of swabbing of returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). Capitol allowed returning OFWs to be released from quarantine after they test negative in the swab test, which was done upon arrival at the Cebu airport.
“Effectively, respondent exacerbated the grave risks of transmission of disease as observed in the province and in other areas, leading to the 3rd wave of pandemic in 2021, if not indeed, leading to probable untimely death here and in many areas in Mindanao,” the complaint reads.
Alleged violations
Because of these, the complaints said, Garcia is allegedly guilty of violating her oath of office and sworn duties, as well as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees and the Administrative Code of 1987, which to gross neglect to duty, grave misconduct, and acts prejudicial to public interest.
“Cebuano lives matter,” said Navea in a statement adding, “The Province of Cebu is not the best. In fact, we can say Governor Gwen Garcia has the worst performance against the pandemic. For instance, she was the only official who required employees to buy and use useless air purifiers”.
Navea said they Capitol to initiate a broad-based public health response.
“So far, we only hear Gwen’s voice, not that of Cebu. Gwen is not Cebu. Gwen’s failure has brought down Cebu,” Navea added. — with Le Phyllis F. Antojado, JMO (FREEMAN)