RIFT WITH GARCIA: Baricuatro addresses cyber libel charge

Local

PHILANTROPIST Pamela Baricuatro has appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7) to air her side after she was sued for cyber libel by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

But Baricuatro, one of the two challengers of Garcia in the midterm elections, is facing a blank wall as to what particular social media post that she made that drove the governor to sue her.

“The NBI is seeking evidence, but our lawyer pointed out that we don't even know which specific post or video they are referencing regarding GG (Gwendolyn Garcia),” Baricuatro said in a Facebook post.

Baricuatro said her legal team will be drafting a letter to request the NBI-7 to postpone the evidence presentation to a later date.

“Since we're currently unaware of the specific post in question, we won't be able to provide relevant evidence,” said Baricuatro.

Baricuator added that posts in question include a TikTok interview from January 30 and February 9 where she discussed the impact of Garcia’s issuance of cease-and-desist order against Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC).

In a previous Facebook post, Baricuato has criticized Garcia’s cease-and-desist order against quarrying operations in Cebu, calling it an unfair burden on businesses.

Baricuatro questioned the timing and intent of the environmental audit that led to the suspension of some businesses, including ALQC.

She questioned the timing of the environmental audit, asking why it was being conducted only now when the company had been operating for years under their watch.

She challenged the decision, suggesting that if an audit was to be done on Apo Cement, it should include the rest of the industry as well.

She also pointed out that companies like Apo Cement have technical groups under the Environmental Management Bureau, adding that the suspension hinders businesses in Cebu.

"Nganong imoha man gyud nang lisod-lisoron ang mga negosyante sa Sugbo?," Baricuatro said.

On Monday, February 17, Garcia issued CDOs against ALQC in Naga City and Solid Earth Development Corporation (SEDC) in San Fernando, halting all earth-moving activities starting at noon on Tuesday, February 18.

The suspension extends previous executive orders that expired on February 10.

The provincial government said the 30-day suspension allows for an environmental audit, a risk assessment, and a review of the carrying capacity of the Mineral Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) areas of both companies.

Officials noted that the measure could impact cement production in Cebu, particularly Apo Cement and Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc., which source their raw materials from ALQC and SEDC.

Garcia’s Executive Order (EO) 5, series of 2025, enforces a previous suspension under EO 2 from January 10, which extended EO 22 from December 2, 2024, against ALQC.

The company’s operations were first halted due to safety concerns following the 2018 landslide in Barangay Tinaan, Naga, which killed more than 70 people.

EO 6, series of 2025, directs SEDC to comply with EO 3, which previously halted its quarrying and port operations in several barangays in San Fernando.

Authorities will closely monitor the suspension order’s enforcement, requiring ALQC and SEDC to submit a comprehensive safety plan within 30 days to address identified risks.

Garcia maintained that the suspension prioritizes public welfare and environmental protection over corporate interests.(MyTVCebu)