Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Tuesday revealed she may face insubordination for allegedly defying the Inter-Agency Task Force’s guideline in swabbing overseas Filipino workers and returning overseas Filipinos.
In a virtual briefing, Garcia said it was League of Provinces in the Philippines President and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco, Jr. who informed her about the alleged plan of presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to take legal actions against her.
“Secretary Harry Roque, and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra are considering taking legal actions against me. That’s in the text. They will take legal actions against me. My question is what crime did I commit? What law did I violate?” Garcia said in a mix of English and Bisaya.
The governor also showed a message that was sent to Velasco by Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.
“He (Año) said IATF is firm that reso 114 should be strictly complied. They are worried about transmission of variants. He said Sec. Harry and Guevarra [are] considering legal action against you,” the message read.
Under the Executive Order issued by Garcia, ROFs and OFWs arriving at Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) will undergo swab testing upon arrival.
The EO is not in line with the IATF guidelines which states that returning OFs and OFWs are required to undergo swab test on the 7th day of quarantine.
Meanwhile, Garcia maintained she did not go against IATF but just an “innovative” way of implementing the policy.
