Garcia case; Capitol will be fair – Davide

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has assured that Capitol will be objective in dealing with the case against Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Gamaliel Garcia who is facing usurpation of authority allegations.

The Provincial Board has asked Davide to issue a 60-day preventive suspension against Garcia but as of yesterday, Davide said he is yet to read the Board’s recommendation.

“Wa pa ko kita sa report sa Committee. I have yet to read the recommendation. But let me assure them that we will be very objective pagbasa sa recommendation and pag-decide sa case,” he told reporters.

Garcia is embroiled in a controversy involving the appointment of the town Council’s secretary.

Last Monday, the board approved the recommendation of its committee on complaints and investigation requesting Davide to suspend Garcia preventively.

Board Member Arleigh Sitoy, the committee chairman, explained that the preventive suspension is ne-cessary so that Garcia will not be in a position to interfere in the investigation.

“We are not yet dealing with the merit of the case. Ang ato lang is dili ma-disturbo ang pag-investigate sa kaso.  We can never have an enrvironment that we can talk to the witnesses nga sila dili intimidated. Maka-interview mi bisan kinsa nga way kahadlok sa mayor,” Sitoy said.

Sitoy also denied that the Provincial Board was “influenced” by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

“Among tumong lang is we want the supremacy of the law to reign. We want the truth to prevail… Mobarug mi sa among mandate nga in every case, we will treat each case with due process,” he stressed, adding that the same treatment would be administered to Garcia who has been his “close friend.”

Garcia said he will file a motion for reconsideration on the PB decision and will question how the body came up with the recommendation even without a preliminary hearing.

Sitoy explained that under the rules, no preliminary hearing is required for a preventive suspension.

He pointed out that Dumanjug Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica has informed Garcia about the appointment of a new SB secretary and that the latter requested the former to convene the Personnel Selection Board that the mayor chaired.

“Naa nay napili ang Vice Mayor sa Dumanjug pero wa man gihapon niya gi-call ang PSB nga mu-consider sa bag-ong secretary. There is a patent intent nga di gyod papulihan ang secretary nga iyang (Mayor) gi-assign,” he added.

Mayor Garcia, through a memorandum, designated Emmylou Cabonilas to take over as acting capacity the post vacated by Victor Tan Jr. who resigned on June 26, 2013.

Garcia vowed to go to court as soon as he receives the suspension order. —(FREEMAN)