SAMAL, Bataan- Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia on Sunday offered his hand in reconciliation to his political foes after the Sandiganbayan recently dismissed the graft case filed against him involving the 300-hectare property of the Bataan Shipyard and Engineering Co. (Baseco) in Mariveles town.
“I am happy but I do not have to gloat about the judicial victory and instead be magnanimous so I am calling on all for unity so we can face the problems not only besetting the province but the country like poverty, peace and order, joblessness and global warming, among some others,” the governor said.
He said that the case has gone on for 13 years and it is time for the province to move on. “Maraming panahon na ang naubos at ang mahalaga ngayon ay pagkakasundo upang lalong matulungan ang ating mga kababayan,” Garcia said.
Investors had temporarily put on hold their operations in Baseco because of the case but with the decision, he said that it is now clear and the capitalists have no worry. The governor said San Miguel Corporation for example is now bullish and with the many programs the giant food and beverage firm has, it will not take long that Mariveles will be transformed into a food city.
Although the ruling is still appealable, Garcia believed that it can no longer be reversed. He said that the anti-graft court has found no probable cause in the compromise agreement entered in March 2006 by the provincial government with the Presidential Commission on Good Government.
Garcia said under the contract, Bataan is entitled to 51 percent while PCGG has 49 percent in the Baseco property. The provincial government got hold of Baseco for non-payment of real property taxes.
“The Sandiganbayan ruled that the compromise agreement was not disadvantageous to the provincial government,” the governor explained.
Garcia was at the Samal South Elementary School in Sta. Lucia, Samal, Bataan as guest during the Barangay Congress attended by barangay chairmen, members of barangay councils, barangay tanod and Barangay Health Workers in 14 barangays of the agricultural town.
“I am happy but I do not have to gloat about the judicial victory and instead be magnanimous so I am calling on all for unity so we can face the problems not only besetting the province but the country like poverty, peace and order, joblessness and global warming, among some others,” the governor said.
He said that the case has gone on for 13 years and it is time for the province to move on. “Maraming panahon na ang naubos at ang mahalaga ngayon ay pagkakasundo upang lalong matulungan ang ating mga kababayan,” Garcia said.
Investors had temporarily put on hold their operations in Baseco because of the case but with the decision, he said that it is now clear and the capitalists have no worry. The governor said San Miguel Corporation for example is now bullish and with the many programs the giant food and beverage firm has, it will not take long that Mariveles will be transformed into a food city.
Although the ruling is still appealable, Garcia believed that it can no longer be reversed. He said that the anti-graft court has found no probable cause in the compromise agreement entered in March 2006 by the provincial government with the Presidential Commission on Good Government.
Garcia said under the contract, Bataan is entitled to 51 percent while PCGG has 49 percent in the Baseco property. The provincial government got hold of Baseco for non-payment of real property taxes.
“The Sandiganbayan ruled that the compromise agreement was not disadvantageous to the provincial government,” the governor explained.
Garcia was at the Samal South Elementary School in Sta. Lucia, Samal, Bataan as guest during the Barangay Congress attended by barangay chairmen, members of barangay councils, barangay tanod and Barangay Health Workers in 14 barangays of the agricultural town.
