LP body handles Garcia’s case

CEBU, Philippines - The administrative complaint filed by Dumanjug Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica against the town’s mayor, Nelson Garcia, before the Provincial Board has landed at the committee composed of Liberal Party members.

Gica of LP filed an administrative case against Garcia of One Cebu Party for allegedly appointing a secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB), a power supposedly under the vice mayor.

The PB referred the matter to the committee on complaints and investigation chaired by Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy and the vice-chairperson is Board Member Grecilda Sanchez, also of LP.

The members are Board Members Raul Alcoseba, Peter John Calderon, Christopher Baricuatro and Miguel Antonio Magpale who are also LP allies.

Baricuatro was the vice mayor of Garcia in the previous administration and the son of the latter’s opponent in the mayoralty race in the last election, former mayor Cesar Baricuatro.

Garcia is hoping that the PB investigate the complaint with impartiality without political color.

“I trust the Provincial Board that they are responsible persons who cannot be dictated by anybody especially from the complainant who is irresponsible and childish,” Garcia told The Freeman.

The complaint stemmed from Garcia’s memorandum designating Emmylou Cabonilas to take over in acting capacity the post that was left by Victor Tan Jr, who resigned last June 26.

On September 5, 2013, Gica appointed Nerio Aquino as SB secretary who assumed office on September 10, 2013.

However, Gica said that Aquino was not able to fully discharge his functions as SB secretary since Cabonilas allegedly refused to turn-over the key, also reportedly upon the instructions of Garcia.

Garcia denied the allegations saying that he was just designating the SB secretary while the SB has no appropriation where to charge the salary of the appointed SB secretary of Gica.

The same case was also filed by against Garcia at the Office of the Ombudsman.  (FREEMAN)