CEBU CITY — A partylist has filed administrative complaint against Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for her supposed mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanlakas, which filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas on Monday, Nov. 22, accused the governor of committing gross neglect of duties and conduct and grave misconduct for her alleged failure to properly handle the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group, headed by lawyer Jose Aaron Pedrosa, alleged that Garcia violated the Code of Conduct for Government Officials and Employees (Republic Act No. 6713) and the President's Executive Order No. 292.
The group, which has a chapter in Cebu City, blamed Garcia for the more than 2,000 death toll in the province after the governor promoted “unscientific claims" such as tuob (steam inhalation) and mandatory wearing of air purifiers in poorly ventilated public transportation.
In a text message to reporters, Garcia just shrugged off Sanlakas’ move, describing the filing of the complaint as a “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 (What a pity),” Garcia said.
Interviewed by reporters, Pedrosa said the group decided to file now that it is already an election season.
"This is to show that we cannot take this sitting down. And we have to hear their platforms and their plans. And this is not only applicable to the governor only. We are also looking at the possibility of filing the same at the national office," Pedrosa said.