Five months after charges were filed against her and Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale had yet to receive the order requiring her and seven others to submit their counter-affidavits before the Ombudsman-Visayas.
The charges were filed by聽 Amor Sarmiento and Elizabeth Francia, staffers of former Cebu governor and now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia in relation to the padlocking of the Governor鈥檚 Office last Jan. 30.
Magpale said the order issued five months ago by the Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Review Bureau (PARB) has not yet reached her office.
鈥淲e will answer it but so far, we have not received it yet. I understand that it is still in the post office,鈥� she told Cebu Daily 黑料社.
The PARB order said the failure of the respondents to file the counter-affidavit and submit all other requirements after 10 days will automatically invalidate their right to present evidence on their behalf.
Also included were Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Magpale鈥檚 spokesperson Dara Acusar, Provincial Consultant Eduardo Habin, Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag, Senior Insp. Eduardo Caranza, Insp. Alvin Enguito and Engr. Hector Jamora.
Magpale said only Habin and Jamora have received the copy of the joint order after they personally claimed it in the post office.
鈥淭he only persons who received it were Mr. Habin and our provincial engineer (Jamora) because they took it in the post office. But for us, not yet,鈥� she said.
Earlier Acusar, one of the respondents, said she also has not聽 seen or read a copy of the order.
Charges of grave abuse of authority, grave coercion, gross misconduct and graft were filed against Magpale and the seven officials by Garcia鈥檚 chief of staff Francia and executive assistant Sarmiento last February.
In their complaint, Francia and Sarmiento said Magpale exceeded her authority as acting governor when she ordered the closure of the governor鈥檚 office and told them to vacate the premises.
Lawyer Basiliso Sungcad, Magpale鈥檚 chief of staff, said they are ready to face the charges.
He said they will convene a legal team to discuss their next plan of action. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos