Partner hopes Eddie Garcia’s death will keep showbiz workers safe

MANILA, Philippines — The death of Eddie Garcia will not be in vain if it will prevent further threats to television and movie workers, the late veteran actor’s long-time partner Lilibeth Romero said Monday.

“In his untimely demise on June 20, 2019, I’m here to straighten the cause of his death emanated from a fall that caused a severe cervical fracture, and by doing so, make the whole Philippines understand that Eddie Garcia’s death will not be sacrificed in vain,” Romero told a Senate panel hearing on occupational safety and health standards.

“If it takes his untimely death to prevent future threats to actors, stuntmen and others inside the various production sets of television, film and movie industries, then I, together with the members of the Garcia family, will fight until the end to get the rights and the protection of his colleagues in place,” she added.

Garcia’s death last June 20 prompted lawmakers to propose an “Eddie Garcia Law” which aims to protect entertainment industry workers.

READ: Revilla proposes ‘Eddie Garcia Law’ to protect movie, TV workers

READ: Mikee Romero readies ‘Eddie Garcia’ bill

Romero, meanwhile, slammed GMA Network, saying it failed to provide a safe working environment for the 90-year-old actor.

“Categorically, I state that Eddie Garcia’s death was caused by gross negligence and unsafe working environment and the absence of a medical team on the set,” Romero lamented.

“Unfortunately, TV network GMA should have made the working environment of the 90-year-old Eddie Garcia safe for him to work, more so in an episode or scene that called for a shooting, fight or a stunt ‘barilan’ [gunfight] scene,” she added.

Garcia dued at the age of 90 after suffering a neck fracture when he tripped on a cable during the taping of a GMA TV series.

/atm