Roxas: Maximum tolerance, not martial law, prevails in Cebu

Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas on Friday refuted an allegation by the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) that the Liberal Party is implementing a de facto martial law in Cebu province. In a statement, Roxas said maximum tolerance is being observed in Cebu despite the ongoing tension there caused by suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's refusal to step down from her post. “Notwithstanding the open defiance of a lawful order, we are employing maximum tolerance and patience,” Roxas said. “Please recall that the violation for which the suspended governor is being sanctioned is grave abuse of authority, but hanggang ngayon inaabuso pa rin nila ang kapangyarihan nila,” he added. Garcia was slapped with a six-month suspension following an administrative case lodged by the late Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr., who accused her of committing acts of usurpation, including the hiring of employees, consultants and slashing the budget of the Office of the Vice Governor. Garcia has been holed up at the provincial capitol since President Benigno Aquino III signed the suspension order last December 19. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale is handling the Cebu capitol’s reins for the meantime. Garcia and her allies in UNA are blaming Roxas for her suspension, saying Roxas, a party-mate of Aquino, just wanted to control the vote-rich province in time for the 2013 midterm elections. UNA leaders — Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Estrada, and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile — visited Garcia last Sunday to personally  express their support for her. — Gian C. Geronimo/KBK, GMA News