Gov Gwen denies involvement in ‘Cebu is Garcia Country’ tarps

Local

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has denied any involvement in the tarpaulins bearing her image and messages of support that were found mounted in several skywalks in the cities of Mandaue and Cebu on Saturday morning, May 3.

The tarpaulins bore printed words “We support the legitimate Governor of Cebu, Gwen Garcia” and “Cebu is Garcia Country.”

The banners, prominently displayed in public, quickly drew attention and prompted questions about who was behind their installation.

Garcia, in a media interview later that day, made light of the situation, saying with a laugh, “Country diay ning Cebu? Island mani.”

She emphasized that it would not make sense for her to fund tarpaulins in an area where residents are not even eligible to vote for her.

“Mogasto ko og tarp nga ari sa Cebu City, di man ni kabotar nako?” she added.

The governor also quipped that if someone were to put up a tarpaulin with her photo, it would have made more sense to display it in Talisay City or other parts of the province where residents can actually vote for her.

“Di mana makabotar nako,” she said, referring to the residents of Barangay Mabolo in Cebu City.

She also questioned the use of the phrase “legitimate governor,” pointing out that she is the duly sitting governor of Cebu.

If the statement referred to her preventive suspension, she noted that even Vice Gov. Hilario Davide, who would serve in her place, has expressed support for her during this challenging time.

Additionally, Garcia’s legal counsel, Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda, also denied that her camp was responsible for the materials.

Both stressed that they had no hand in the installation of the banners.

By around 9 a.m. Saturday, Barangay Mabolo Captain Daniel Francis Arguedo confirmed that he had ordered the removal of the tarpaulins, which were hung without the barangay’s permission.

Arguedo said that the move was “simply consistent with our policy to remove unauthorized campaign materials in public places or facilities.”

He shared a screenshot of the tarpaulin on his Facebook page, stating that his order was in line with regulations.

In a report by a local media outlet, Cebu City Public Information Officer Ramil Ayuman said the city government had already removed the tarpaulins and launched an investigation to identify those responsible for installing them.

The appearance of the banners comes at a time when Garcia is under heightened political scrutiny, following a six-month preventive suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Also, Garcia responded to Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who released statements urging her to comply with the order and temporarily step down from her post.

Garcia questioned why to mention a past disqualification order against her, arguing that it was irrelevant to the current issue.

Also, she expressed her gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for issuing a call for fairness and respect in light of her situation.(MyTVCebu)