Sitoy “lawyering” Gica in case vs me – Garcia

CEBU, Philippines - Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Gamaliel Garcia has criticized Provincial Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy for issuing statements in favor of Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica.

Garcia said Sitoy, who leads the investigation committee of the administrative complaint filed by Gica against him, is at the same time “lawyering” the vice mayor.

Sitoy earlier said that Gica had already appointed a new Sangguniang Bayan secretary but Garcia did not convene the Personnel Selection Board to act on the appointment.

Last Monday, the board approved the recommendation of Sitoy’s committee requesting Davide to suspend Garcia preventively for 60 days.

“Sitoy is lawyering the vice mayor, klaro kaayo,” Garcia told The FREEMAN.

Garcia was reacting to the statement of Sitoy who was quoted as saying, “there is a patent intent nga di gyod papulihan ang secretary nga iyang (Mayor) gi-assign.”

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 until a new SB secretary is appointed.

Garcia compared the situation of Dumanjug to the Province of Cebu wherein no provincial treasurer has been appointed yet by the Department of Finance while the governor has yet ordered the filling up of the vacant post.

Section 80 of the Local Government Code of 1991 provides that whenever a local chief executive decides to fill a vacant career position, there shall be posted notices of the vacancy in at least three conspicuous public places in the local government  unit concerned for a period of not less than 15 days.

Garcia pointed out that like the DOF, the authority of his vice mayor to appoint the SB secretary may only come in when he decides to fill in the position.

“Does it mean ikiha sad ang governor kay wa gi-open ang position for provincial treasurer?” he said.

Sitoy stood firm that they want the supremacy of the law to reign and they want the truth to prevail.

But Garcia claimed he was not given the chance to be heard even in one PB session.

“This is a clear manifestation of their biases, nganong hadlok mo-hear sa kaso dretso ra man suspend? He is interpreting the allegation of the vice mayor based on statement only,” Garcia added.

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