President Benigno Aquino 3rd remained firm on his decision to suspend Gov. Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia of Cebu for grave abuse of authority.

The President said that the decision was made based on the evidence that was presented and based on the statements of the witnesses that were called for the investigation.

“Dumaan ang pagkahaba-habang proseso. Inimbestiga siya ng DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government], under secretary Jesse Robredo; dinala sa office of the President and the ES [executive secretary] studied the matter. At lumabas na may mga base ‘yung reklamo nung yumaong vice governor [It underwent a long process. It was investigated by the DILG, under secretary Jesse Robredo; then it was brought to the office of the President and the executive secretary studied the matter. It turned out that there is basis in the complaint of the late vice governor],” Aquino said.

“Napaka-klaro nung ebidensiya, facts, pati na ‘yung testimonya na pati kaalyado ni Governor Garcia.

[The evidence, the facts, and the testimonies, even of the allies of Governor Garcia, were very clear.] So there was a violation of the pertinent rules and regulations, and there is a corresponding penalty,” he added.

The President said that there was no politics involved in the decision to suspend Garcia.

He denied allegations that Malacañang is easing out local officials who are not allied with the administration in preparation for the elections.

Mr. Aquino added that that the government, as the disciplinary authority of its members, is interested in the behavior of every public servant.

The President said that he has not discussed the issue with Vice President Jejomar Binay, an ally of Garcia, the last time they met during the Rizal Day rites.

Garcia also persistent
Over 20 days after a suspension order was slapped against her, Garcia is also unbending in her decision to fight her suspension.

Garcia said that she would not yield to the suspension order, which she described as “illegal” and a form of “political harassment” by the ruling Liberal Party.

The governor, who is holed up in her office, said that he has yet to decide if she will participate in the Sinulog festival, Cebu’s much-awaited religious festivity, which honors the Santo Niño.

Garcia said that she has been participating in the Sinulog festival for eight years and this is supposedly her “last dance” as the governor of Cebu.

“I have been dancing in the Sinulog festival as an offering to the Santo Niño and as a praise and thanksgiving for the continued protection of Cebu,” Garcia told The Manila Times.

She said that her suspension prevented her from participating freely in the festival.

“It is the prayer of every Cebuano that I shall dance and it is also my prayer that I shall be able to dance for the ninth and last time as governor of Cebu for the Santo Niño,” she said.

 Not being able to dance in the festival is not the only concern for Garcia. It is also not going to be easy for her to fly out of the country as the Sandiganbayan junked her plea to lift the three hold departure order issued against her.