CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — For the third time in a span of less than a month, Byron Garcia filed a criminal-complaint against Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, this time over the ongoing renovation of the Governor’s Office at the Capitol’s Executive Building, a project worth ₱2.6 million.
In a criminal complaint-affidavit filed before the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas on Friday, December 5, Byron accused Baricuatro of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) and the National Cultural Heritage Act (RA 10066).
Byron accused Baricuatro of renovating the new Governor’s Office, located in the Main Capitol Building—declared a national historical landmark—without securing the required heritage permit from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
Byron alleged that the renovation, which reportedly involves the demolition of existing ceilings, roofing, and walls, was done without a clearance or heritage permit, constituting a violation of RA 10066.
He cited Section 15 of RA 10066: “all intervention works and measures on conservation of national cultural treasures, important cultural property, as well as national historical landmarks, sites or monuments and structures previously marked by the National Museum and/or the National Historical Institute before the implementation of this Act, shall be undertaken through the appropriate cultural agency which shall supervise the same.”
The law adds that the cultural agency may approve only methods and materials that adhere to international conservation standards.
Byron also invoked Section 48(b) of the same law, which penalizes anyone who “modifies, alters, or destroys the original features of or undertakes construction or real estate development in any national shrine, monument, landmark, and other historic edifices and structures, declared, classified, and marked by the National Historical Institute as such, without the prior written permission from the Commission…”
He said Baricuatro’s actions constitute both legal and ethical breach, adding that the governor may have also violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“Aside from criminal liabilities, she should also be held administratively liable for Grave Misconduct, Abuse of Authority, Conduct Unbecoming of a Public Official, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
These are sufficient grounds for her preventive suspension, removal, or dismissal from service,” Byron contended in his affidavit.
Contrary to Byron’s claim, however, NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr. was seen inspecting the ongoing renovation of the Governor’s Office on Thursday, December 4. He was accompanied by Provincial Administrator Ace Durano.
As of this writing, the Freeman has not yet received a response or comment from the governor or the Cebu Capitol regarding the latest case filed by Byron.
Byron earlier filed two cases against Baricuatro: 1) regarding the controversial sea ambulance, and 2) a photo of the governor wearing a SWAT uniform, which Baricuatro countered that it was just an AI-generated photo.
Byron is the brother of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who was defeated by Baricuatro in the May 2025 elections.
| Written by Le Phyllis F. Antojado/RAE
