BALANGA CITY – Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia first hour Monday morning filed with the Court of Appeals a petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus with urgent motion for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and writ of preliminary injunction to stop the serving of the suspension order issued by the Ombudsman.
The Bataan governor filed the motion with three other officials of the provincial government who were ordered suspended for six months by the Ombudsman.
Garcia appealed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government to hold the issuance of the order until Friday. “If the TRO will not be granted, then I will voluntary step down on Friday,” he said as his supporters, estimated at more than 3,000, guarded the compound of the fenced Bulwagan ng Bayan.
He said he will stay and sleep at his office at the Bataan capitol and wait for the issuance or rejection of the TRO.
At the same time to the loud applause of his supporters, Garcia challenged Ombudsman Merceditas N. Gutierrez to leave her post if it will be proven that the suspension of the governor and three others and the case elevated to the Sandiganbayan are illegal.
“Kung mapapatunayan naman na legal ang kautusan ng Ombudsman, aalis ako sa pagiging gubernador at hindi na lalahok sa pulitika sa buong buhay ko,” he said.
The Bataan Mayors’ League and the Vice-Mayors’ League pledged full support to Garcia.
Rallyists blocked the passages to the Bataan Capitol and the Bulwagan ng Bayan and threatened they would prevent anyone from serving the suspension order to their governor.
A crane was working on additional giant tents signaling that more Garcia supporters are coming and ready to stay.
