Cebu’s Sugbo TV files complaint vs acting governor

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Employees of Sugbo TV filed a complaint against Acting Cebu Gov Agnes Magpale and 3 others before the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas, on Wednesday, January 2, for alleged abuse of authority, among other accusations.

Rowena Zulueta, Sugbo TV channel head, and channel reporter Rufo Carzano filed a complaint against Magpale, two cops and a lawyer for abuse of authority, grave misconduct, oppression, conduct unbecoming of a public official, violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and grave coercion.

Also included in the complaint were Police Regional Office Director Marcelo Garbo, Regional Public Safety Batallion head Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag and lawyer Czareem Joseph Estella.

On Dec 21, 2012, Magpale ordered the closure of Sugbo TV and Sugbo News. Magpale accused the station of allowing itself to be used by suspended Cebu Gov Gwendolyn Garcia for her political agenda.

Sugbo TV is a 24-hour cable program that is said to be a pet project of Garcia.

“Without showing the employees any legal authority or written order for the shutdown, and/or for our removal from our offices, the group led (cops) us to the door with such urgency,” the complaint against Magpale and others states.

Magpale has issued a memorandum directing Sugbo TV and Sugbo News employees to report to Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy starting Thursday, January 3.

However, Zulueta and capitol consultant lawyer Lito Astellero, reportedly led a mass resignation of 50 employees on Wednesday, January 2, after they received a notice extending their services for only a month.

The Office of the President suspended Garcia in December 2012 over charges of misuse of government funds. Garcia said the move was part of efforts of the Liberal Party to control the province in time for the May elections. – Ryan Christopher J. Sorote