PB starts probing complaints filed by Garcia, Gica

CEBU, Philippines - The Committee on Complaints and Investigation of the Provincial Board has started the investigation into the administrative complaints filed both by Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia and Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica against each other.

However, the preliminary conference set by the committee chaired by Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy yesterday did not push through.

This after the camp of Garcia asked the committee to resolve first the motion to dismiss the complaint filed by Gica over the controversial appointment of a secretary to the Sangguniang Bayan (SB).

Garcia said the committee took his motion as his answer to the complaint when it is not.

“I hope I will have justice with this preliminary conference,” Garcia said.

Sitoy ruled to resolve the motion within five days and the PB will render the pertinent order.

“Whatever decision, the next step in the process will follow,” he said.

All the members of the committee are members of the Liberal Party which Gica belongs.

“I hope a fair judgment. I hope a fair trial against the Mayor of Dumanjug,” Gica said.

Garcia is also hoping the committee is fair and set aside politics in investigating the case.

Gica accused Garcia of committing grave abuse of authority for usurping the appointing power of the vice mayor, obstructing the due exercise by the vice mayor of the power to appoint all officials and employees of the SB, and hampering the performance by the duly appointed SB secretary.

Garcia filed countercharges against Gica for grave abuse of authority and serious misconduct over the appointment of SB Secretary and for malversation of public property for allegedly not returning two sets of computer and laptop when the latter’s term as councilor expired on June 30, 2010. —/LPM (FREEMAN)