Sitoy assures fairness in Gica ‘plaint vs Garcia

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy has assured a fair investigation into the administrative complaint filed by Dumanjug Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica against the town’s mayor, Nelson Garcia, before the Provincial Board.

Sitoy yesterday said it is but coincidental that the case is now with the PB committee on complaints and investigation, which he chairs, with all members being allies of Gica in the Liberal Party.

He said it is also but coincidental that Garcia belongs to the opposition party, One Cebu.

“Nothing to worry,” said Sitoy who is also with LP.

The committee is set to ask Garcia to answer the complaint before it conducts preliminary investigation after the barangay elections on October 28.

Gica filed an administrative case against Garcia 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.

The vice chairperson of the committee is Board Member Grecilda Sanchez, also of LP, while the members are Board Members Raul Alcoseba, Peter John Calderon, Christopher Baricuatro and Miguel Antonio Magpale who are all LP allies.

Baricuatro was Garcia’s vice mayor 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 earlier expressed hope that the PB investigates the complaint with impartiality and without political color.

Garcia said he trusts  that the PB members as responsible persons who cannot be dictated by anyone especially the complainant.

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.  (FREEMAN)