MANILA, Philippines - The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) twitted the Liberal Party’s plans to file more cases against suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, saying these prove further there is a “grand” plan to harass rivals in the upcoming polls.

“Why the sudden downpour of cases against Gov. Garcia? We can only assume that a creeping crackdown on the LP’s political rivals is now in full swing,” UNA Secretary General Toby Tiangco said.

The LP spokesman in Cebu, Atty. Democrito Barcenas, said they are now in the process of drafting at least 16 charges such as grave misconduct and malversation of funds for eventual filing before the Office of the Ombudsman.

UNA senatorial bet Ernesto Maceda said the action proves political harassment, which the LP has strongly denied.

UNA senatorial candidate Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco said Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas cannot feign ignorance in the LP scheme.

“Mar (Roxas) cannot feign ignorance and one need not be a genius to decipher and know who is behind and who will ultimately benefit from the removal of, and political weakening of Gov. Gwen. The timing and motivation in the belated filing of these supposed cases are simply highly suspect and overdoing it might accomplish the opposite,” she said.

For her part, UNA bet Nancy Binay said “due process and respect for the rule of law appears to have been set aside by the LP with its plan to deluge Gov. Garcia with cases now that the election period has started.”

“We urge everyone involved to play fair and act with decency. Gov. Gwen Garcia was elected by an overwhelming majority of the people of Cebu and has an undisputed mandate in governing the province. She has a sterling record in her service to the people and in her integrity. The people of Cebu, who clearly staunchly support her, should be the judge of her performance and leadership,” re-electionist Sen. Dick Gordon added.