Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro is confronting a fresh administrative complaint, this time centered on accusations of making false statements about the province's acquisition of a sea ambulance. The case, filed on December 1, 2025, adds another layer of scrutiny to the provincial government's activities.
The Complaint and Its Allegations
The complaint was formally lodged with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the President. It was submitted by Byron Garcia, the brother of former Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. The allegations against Governor Baricuatro are serious, encompassing dishonesty, misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Central to Garcia's complaint is an online post made by Governor Baricuatro on October 7, 2025. The post allegedly led Cebuanos to believe that the province already possessed its own sea ambulance for use as an emergency vessel. However, the ownership and status of the vessel came into question weeks later.
Revelation of the Vessel's True Status
The situation unraveled during a provincial board session on October 26, 2025. It was revealed that the sea ambulance in question was not owned by the province. Instead, officials clarified it was merely a prototype or a model on loan from the supplier. This disclosure directly contradicted the earlier impressions created by the governor's statements.
Governor Baricuatro subsequently explained that the vessel was only for display and testing purposes while the province awaited a presidential decree to facilitate the actual purchase. Following these revelations, Byron Garcia urged the Ombudsman and the Office of the President to conduct a thorough investigation and impose appropriate penalties on the governor.
Governor's Response and Ongoing Pledges
Improving health services, including securing a sea ambulance for emergency medical transport to remote islands, has been a key promise of Governor Baricuatro's administration. Despite the legal challenge, she has vowed to continue her work for the province.
In a statement also dated December 1, 2025, Governor Baricuatro responded defiantly to the complaint. "Let him file all the cases he wants. I will face him in court. I will continue working because it is very clear that Cebu and the Capitol are happier now," she declared. This case marks another contentious chapter in Cebu's political landscape, pitting the current governor against a member of a prominent political family.
