CEBU, Philippines — The 17 couples whose civil unions were solemnized by beleaguered Dumanjug town Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica are assured of the validity of their marriage.
Gica made the assurance after former mayor Nelson Garcia claimed that he does not have the legal authority after he was dismissed from the service by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017.
Gica said the dismissal order was already reversed by the Court of Appeals giving way for him to reclaim his post. Gica has solemnized a total of 17 civil weddings from August to December 2018.
He said all of these weddings are valid claiming that he is the duly elected town mayor and was not stripped of his authority.
“In good faith ato pag-assume and dili sad ko mo relinquish (I assumed in good faith and I will not relinquish). I'll still be in my office with my vice mayor. I don't think nay (there’s) illegal ana (about it), Kuyog mi sa ako vice mayor before, kuyog mi karon, kuyog mi ugma (we were together with my vice mayor before, we are still together now, and we will still be together tomorrow),” he told THE FREEMAN.
The Ombudsman dismissed Gica in 2017 after he was found guilty of dishonesty for allegedly tampering with a receipt in 2014. Vice Mayor Rene Asentista assumed his position in January 2018 as ordered by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Gica elevated the case before the Court of Appeals where he was able to get a favorable decision. Gica immediately reassumed his post pending a motion for reconsideration filed by Garcia, who was the complainant against him.
Garcia said the CA decision was not yet final because of his motion for reconsideration that is yet to be resolved. Garcia said the appellate court based its ruling on the Aguinaldo doctrine that has long been nullified by the Supreme Court.
Garcia insisted that the case is not yet over and that Gica should not have assumed as mayor until it is resolved.
“He is not the legal mayor so he has no legal powers. Apil na ana ang pagkasal (including the solemnizing of marriage),” Garcia said.
Garcia advised all the 17 couples concerned to consult a lawyer for them to be guided on the legality of their marriage. (FREEMAN)