Baricuatro faces death threat, amid suspension of a local mayor

CEBU CITY—Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro, in her Facebook post on February 6 said she is currently facing serious death threats and intelligence reports indicate that a killer from Mindanao has been paid million to kill her, allegedly born out of the claims circulating from the opposition alleging that she abandoned or failed to assist Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad following his suspension.

“What I am facing today is not only Basyang but also a demolition job. I never wanted to “patol” these FB post against me, but when it concerns one of my top-performing mayors, I feel the need to speak up for transparency and accountability.  I have nothing to do with the suspension of Mayor Rajiv of Minglanilla. I have no motive to do so. Such actions would only disrupt governance,” Baricuatro wrote on her post.

Baricuatro categorically denies the claims, stressing that such narratives are misleading and disregard the boundaries of law, due process, and good governance.  The governor emphasized that she had no involvement whatsoever in the suspension and no motive to instigate such action, noting that Mayor Enad is one of Cebu’s top-performing local chief executives.

The suspension of Mayor Enad is an administrative action carried out by the Office of the Ombudsman, an independent constitutional body, and is governed by existing laws and established procedures.

Mayor Enad, along with other Minglanilla officials from the previous term, was suspended for one-year effective February 2 after being found guilty of oppression and grave abuse of authority in connection with the alleged obstruction of business permits and safety plans that had already been approved by national experts.

As Governor of Cebu, Baricuatro said she is duty-bound to respect the rule of law and the independence of legal and administrative processes. Intervening or exerting influence in an ongoing disciplinary case would be improper and would undermine the principles of accountability and fairness expected of public officials.

“I have nothing to do with the suspension of Mayor Rajiv of Minglanilla. Such actions would only disrupt governance.   Leadership is not about political convenience or selective intervention.  It is about upholding the law, even when it is difficult, and ensuring that due process is respected by all regardless of position or affiliation,” Baricuatro emphasized.

The governor told the media that the allegations being circulated online appear to be part of a broader political tactic aimed at sowing division among mayors and destabilizing local governance in the province.  She urged the public and local officials not to be swayed by what she described as “unfounded whispers” and misinformation spreading on social media.

She called on local chief executives to remain united and not allow rumors to derail governance efforts and reiterated that her administration remains focused on its constitutional mandate-- ensuring stability in local governance, continuity of public services, and strict adherence to legal frameworks.

Portraying respect for due process as abandonment, she said, is a deliberate distortion meant to politicize a legal matter. “The success of the mayors is the success of Cebu,” expressing her commitment to continued cooperation between the Provincial Government and local governments across the province.(Photos: Pam Baricuatro. FB)