REPRESENTATIVE-elect Gwen-dolyn Garcia of Cebu province is not backing down on her criminal charges related to the P99-million Balili estate scam, saying that the charge sheets against her lacked recital of facts that constitute an offense.

In a nine-page motion, Garcia said that the charge sheet showed that it was provincial budget officer Emme Gingoyon that certified the availability of funds and that the Cebu Provincial Assessment Committee did not show any portion of the Balili lots as submerged.

“There is no offense charged against Garcia, who, as governor of the province of Cebu, was within her reasonable right to rely on the certifications and reports provided her by subordinates,” the pleading read.

Her lawyers from Romulo Mabanta said that even if there are inaccuracies in the information, Garcia’s reliance “negates any criminal intent.”

On the lots, her defense lawyers led by Tranquil Salvador 3rd argued that a Torrens Certificate of Title “in controvertible.”

The defense said that a purchaser may rely on what a title expressly provides on its face and as shown in the information, all assets of the Balilis, “were all titled properties.”
John Constantine Cordon

man-elect of Cebu’s third district, trampling Liberal Party-candidate Geraldine Yapha by 1,984 votes.

Cebu’s third district comprises the western Cebu municipalities of Aloguinsan, Asturias, Balamban, Barili, Pinamungahan, Tuburan, Tabuelan, and Toledo City.