MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno yesterday denied it had a hand in the order of the Office of the Ombudsman ing Cebu third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia for grave misconduct.

“The claim of Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia that the ombudsman’s decision...was connected to her vigorous and active role in the impeachment proceeding against Chief Justice Sereno is bereft of truth and wisdom,” Jojo Lacanilao, Sereno’s spokesman, said in a statement. 

Lacanilao said it was “unfortunate” that Garcia was using the impeachment hearing as an excuse for her dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Lacanilao said the ombudsman is an independent constitutional body.

“Rep. Garcia was sacked from office for her questionable purchase of a P98.9-million underwater property when she was governor of Cebu without the authority of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan...These are the facts of the case and the bases of the ombudsman’s decision,” Lacanilao said.

“That she is being singled out by the ombudsman is totally untrue. The real tragedy lies in the refusal of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to enforce the dismissal order...against Rep. Garcia, who seems to be enjoying special treatment by the House leader,” he said.