Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro is confronting a fresh legal challenge as a new administrative complaint has been lodged against her, centering on controversial statements she made about the province's acquisition of a sea ambulance.
Complaint Alleges Dishonesty and Misconduct
The complaint was formally submitted on December 1, 2025, to both the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the President. The petitioner is Byron Garcia, who is the brother of former Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. In his filing, Garcia accuses the incumbent governor of several offenses, including dishonesty, misconduct, and conduct deemed prejudicial to the best interest of the public service.
The core of the allegation stems from an online post made by Governor Baricuatro on October 7, 2025. Garcia contends that this post misled the residents of Cebu regarding the ownership and the procurement process of an emergency sea vessel, which was presented as a vital asset for the province.
Revelation of Prototype Borrowing Contradicts Claims
The situation escalated when, during a session of the Cebu Provincial Board on October 26, 2025, it was revealed that the sea ambulance in question was not owned by the provincial government. Instead, it was disclosed that the vessel was merely a prototype model temporarily borrowed from a supplier for evaluation purposes.
This revelation directly contradicted the earlier impressions given by the governor's statements. Following the board session, Governor Baricuatro herself admitted that the province did not own the vessel, clarifying that it was a test model still awaiting necessary presidential clearance.
Calls for Investigation and Penalties
In his complaint, Byron Garcia has urgently requested the Ombudsman and the President's office to take official notice of the matter. He is pushing for a full investigation to be initiated into the governor's actions concerning the sea ambulance statements. Furthermore, Garcia is seeking the imposition of appropriate administrative penalties should the allegations be proven true.
This complaint adds to the existing scrutiny faced by the Cebu provincial government's plan to acquire a sea ambulance, which has previously faced questions regarding its pricing and legal compliance during procurement discussions.
