Good afternoon. I am writing to CNN and to other members of the international press in hopes of getting my voice heard. Know that I am writing regarding a political issue that my mother, Governor Gwen Garcia has to contend with.
I am thousands of miles away from my family in the Philippines and I am very worried about their safety. My brother was struck in the face by a rifle-toting police man after trying to get through the provincial
capitol, a public place now being barricaded by police as ordered by the illegally sworn in Vice Governor, Agnes Magpale.
Here are the facts:
-Just recently the President of the Philippines imposed a six-month suspension on the first woman governor of the Province of Cebu, Gwendolyn F. Garcia.
-The suspension is being forcefully done, without any legal basis. Governor Garcia, was asked to step down and make way for the Vice Governor- a political ally of the President. The Vice is also the sister of the President's secretary to the cabinet and close confidante, Rene Almendras.
-President Aquino's suspension order is illegal because the complainant is dead and no one substituted him. Philippine Law states that the complaint must also be dismissed if the complainant is deceased.
-Under the law, the President only has 30 days to act upon the case. However, it took President Aquino 474 days and he timed the suspension near election so his Liberal Party can take over the provincial capitol during the campaign and use its resources. There is not a shred of evidence for the charges alleged.
UPDATE: Police dismantles tents of Governor Garcia's supporters, padlocks barricades, blocks entry/exits of Capitol with trucks, violates the People constitutional right to peaceably assemble and protest.
Attached is a statement from Governor Gwen Garcia on the matter of suspension.
Thank you and I hope you consider my plea.
I am thousands of miles away from my family in the Philippines and I am very worried about their safety. My brother was struck in the face by a rifle-toting police man after trying to get through the provincial
capitol, a public place now being barricaded by police as ordered by the illegally sworn in Vice Governor, Agnes Magpale.
Here are the facts:
-Just recently the President of the Philippines imposed a six-month suspension on the first woman governor of the Province of Cebu, Gwendolyn F. Garcia.
-The suspension is being forcefully done, without any legal basis. Governor Garcia, was asked to step down and make way for the Vice Governor- a political ally of the President. The Vice is also the sister of the President's secretary to the cabinet and close confidante, Rene Almendras.
-President Aquino's suspension order is illegal because the complainant is dead and no one substituted him. Philippine Law states that the complaint must also be dismissed if the complainant is deceased.
-Under the law, the President only has 30 days to act upon the case. However, it took President Aquino 474 days and he timed the suspension near election so his Liberal Party can take over the provincial capitol during the campaign and use its resources. There is not a shred of evidence for the charges alleged.
UPDATE: Police dismantles tents of Governor Garcia's supporters, padlocks barricades, blocks entry/exits of Capitol with trucks, violates the People constitutional right to peaceably assemble and protest.
Attached is a statement from Governor Gwen Garcia on the matter of suspension.
Thank you and I hope you consider my plea.