Palace wants docs in case vs town mayor

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the President has issued an order to the Cebu Provincial Board directing the latter to forward to them pertinent documents on a case involving Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Gamaliel Garcia and Vice Mayor Guntrano Gica.

However, Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy said the order from the Office of the President is plainly a request to be issued copies of the documents and does not mean it will take over the case.

In the order received by the Provincial Secretary on October 20, 2014, it mentions the Notice of Appeal filed by Mayor Garcia on an administrative case filed by Gica against him for allegedly falsifying documents pertaining to the town’s annual budget.

In his complaint, Gica alleged that the supporting documents of their proposed budget were “falsified” by Emmylou Cabonillas, the municipal council secretary designated by Garcia.

Gica had stressed that Cabonillas was not in attendance during their session and it was Nerio Aquino, his designated municipal treasurer, who was present.

The designation of two different secretaries also developed into another case which resulted into a 60-day preventive suspension of Garcia.

Sitoy, the chairman of the Committee on Complaints and Investigation, said the Office of the President is probably asking for documents on the case of “falsifying documents” since Garcia filed for a motion to appeal before such office.

“Maybe they are just interested in really knowing if there is really such a case. It doesn’t mean that they are taking over the case kay wala pa man mi nahuman,” said Sitoy, explaining that they have yet to decide on this case, as well as the other cases filed by Gica against Garcia and vice versa.

Sitoy said they will issue a certified true copy of the documents since they cannot surrender the original records because they are still conducting proceedings on the case.

According to the letter from the Office of the President, the PB has 15 days from receipt of the order to forward complete records of the case, as well as summary of proceedings and listing of all pleadings, motions, manifestations and other documents filed by the contending parties.

Sitoy said Garcia, or anyone for that matter, can file an appeal on their complaint. In this case, he said it is part of one’s right to exhaust administrative remedies before deciding to go to court.

But since the PB is still looking into the case, Sitoy said they have to make a decision before the complaint is brought to any other body.

 “Naa sila jurisdiction after we are done,” said Sitoy, but added that he does not want to preempt the members of the board, or the parties involved, on when the case would be decided on.  (FREEMAN)