(Eagle News) — The camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday slammed House Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia for her claim the Ombudsman’s move to dismiss her was connected to her “vigorous and active role” in the impeachment proceedings against the top magistrate.
According to Sereno’s spokesperson, lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, this statement was “bereft of truth and wisdom.”
“To set the record straight, the Chief Justice has nothing to do with the Ombudsman’s decision. (Garcia) misused public funds to buy a property submerged in the sea. These are the facts of the case and these were the bases of the Ombudsman’s decision,” Lacanilao said.
According to Lacanilao, it was “unfortunate that Rep. Garcia is using the ongoing impeachment hearing as an excuse, albeit shallow, for her dismissal from government service and perpetual disqualification from public office rather than check the laws of the land on graft and corruption.”
He also slammed Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for his refusal to enforce the dismissal order.
“The real tragedy lies on (his refusal to enforce the order) against Rep. Garcia, who seems to be enjoying the special treatment of the House leader,” Lacanilao said.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the dismissal of Garcia for her role in the allegedly anomalous purchase of the P98.9-million Balili property when she was Cebu governor.
According to the Ombudsman, Garcia committed grave misconduct when she entered into contracts with Supreme ABF Construction for the purchase of the property without any authority given by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Garcia questioned the timing of the release of the order, saying it came at a time when she was “very active” in the impeachment proceedings against Sereno in the House.