The Office of the Ombudsman has launched another investigation of former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia in connection with the cancellation of a 20-year water supply contract, which reportedly resulted in higher water rates.
In a two-page order dated Sept. 25, the ombudsman gave Garcia 10 days from receipt of notice to file her counter-affidavit and documentary evidence.
Garcia was directed to furnish the complainants, led by a certain Aileen Rama Donal, with a copy of her affidavit and documentary evidence.
The complainants were given the option to submit their reply within 10 days from receipt of Garcia’s counter-affidavit.
The ombudsman said Garcia’s failure to comply within the prescribed period would be deemed as a waiver of her rights, and the preliminary investigation will proceed according to existing rules on procedures.
In July, state prosecutors suspended Garcia for one year without pay for issuing a permit to a quarry operator without requiring an environmental compliance certificate.
But since Garcia is no longer in office, the ombudsman said the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to her basic salary for six months.
The new investigation was for alleged violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and for committing administrative offenses of grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority.
The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by Donal on July 25.
Donal alleged that Garcia was behind the premature cancellation of the 20-year bulk water supply contract signed between the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and Cebu Manila Water Development Inc. (CMWD) in December 2013.
The complainant said the termination of the contract between the CMWD and the MCWD led to an emergency procurement arrangement between the MCWD and the provincial government.
Donal said the contract was replaced by a new deal between the MCWD and the Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc., which allegedly resulted in the increase of water rates from P24.59 to P58 per cubic meter.