Davide to wait for PB before acting on Garcia suspension

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III yesterday said he is letting the Provincial Board resolve first the motion for reconsideration (MR) filed by Dumanjug's Nelson Garcia before acting on the suspension the body has ordered against the mayor.

"I was furnished a copy of the MR of Garcia. I have to take a look at it. (It) was addressed to the board…. Akong view mas maayo ma-resolve sa board ang MR (first before I will decide)," said Davide.

To recall, the PB, in its regular session last week, concurred with the decision of the committee on complaints and investigation, which recommended the mayor's preventive suspension for 60 days.

Dumanjug Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica filed the administrative complaint against Garcia before the PB last year after the mayor hired Emmylou Cabonillas as municipal council secretary.

Gica had argued that naming the town council secretary was his function being the head of the legislative department. Gica alleged that Garcia abused his power as mayor and viola-ted Section 456 (Powers, Duties and Compensation of the Vice Mayor) of the Local Government Code.

For his part, Garcia, who had threatened to sue Davide and the PB if they would implement his suspension, described the whole thing as politically motivated.

Davide, though, said yesterday that if the PB would turn down Garcia's MR, and despite Garcia's claim that politics was involved in the decision, he would decide on the matter "objectively."

Garcia is the brother of Pablo John Garcia, who ran but lost against Davide in the gubernatorial election in May 2013. (FREEMAN)