PB to Garcia: Impartial trial on complaint against Gica

CEBU, Philippines - An official of the Provincial Board’s investigating committee has assured that fair judgment would be observed on the complaint filed against Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Gamaliel Garcia against the town’s Vice Mayor.

Board member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez, who co-chairs the PB Committee on Complaints and Investigation, said that though the committee has yet to work on the complaint, they would follow a thorough investigation and proper process in treating the evidences.

Garcia filed an administrative complaint against Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica for alleged dishonesty and misconduct of office, commission of crime involving moral turpitude, and abuse of authority during the latter’s stint as acting mayor in Dumanjug town.

The complaints stemmed from the Official Receipt issued by a Chinese-themed restaurant in Cebu City which was allegedly tampered by Gica by bloating the amount.

In his complaint filed, Garcia accused that Gica changed the original amount of the receipt which was P11, 435 to P21, 435.

“Documentary evidence man gyud na iyang (Garcia) gipakita. Di man nato ma-refute ang documents. That in itself say nga we would get a fair trial (He presented documentary evidence. Documents cannot be refuted),” Sanchez said.

Garcia had challenged the PB and the governor to act with impartiality over the complaint and to impose preventive suspension against Gica who is a Liberal Party Ally.

“The evidence of guilt is very strong. The document will speak for itself. By this alone, I think the complaints committee should also recommend to the governor the preventive suspension of my Vice Mayor,” Garcia said.

Most members of the PB and Davide are aligned with the Liberal Party.

But Davide have earlier made it clear that he would decide based on the recommendation of the PB and the investigating committee.

Garcia returned to his office as mayor on June 11 after serving the 60-day preventive suspension ordered by Davide over the alleged usurpation of authority which investigation is also pending in the PB.  (FREEMAN)