Gica files raps vs Garcia anew

CEBU, Philippines - Dumanjug Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica has filed another administrative complaint before the Cebu Provincial Board against Mayor Nelson Garcia for alleged falsification of documents relative to the construction of the town’s sports complex.

Gica claimed he discovered the alleged irregular transactions when he assumed as acting mayor while Garcia was serving his 90 days preventive suspension earlier imposed by Governor Hilario Davide III.

Gica said there were two sets of Program of Works and Estimates for only project which cost P14.8 million. The two POWEs were all dated February 14, 2013. However, one of the documents indicated P732,500 as  project construction management cost while the other did not.

Municipal Engineer Danilo Phua said there was a revision made in the POWE since infrastructure and consultancy works cannot be undertaken by one contractor.

Garcia explained that the first POWE was used with the condition that the amount of P732,500 representing the consultancy works of Jemar Engineering Services shall be deducted from the total project cost to be paid to the contractor, LAB General Engineering.

“Nasipyat paghimo ang plano, unsa ma’y falsification ana? Same amount ra man na. Wa ma’y damaged to the government,” Garcia said.

Gica also alleged that Garcia entered into a contact agreement with the contractor on March 26, 2013 and was notarized on April 2, 2013 without authority from the Municipal Council.

Also on April 1, Garcia reportedly issued a Notice to Proceed to the contractor and the implementation of the project thereafter proceeded.

On August 7, the contractor billed payment for “30.59 work accomplished” including the amount of P272,860 for the project construction management.

The municipal engineer reportedly did not approve the billing request due to its “patent illegality” for the contractor also acting as project construction manager at the same time.

This prompted the Municipal Planning and Development Office to prepare another POWE of the same amount of the project but the amount for consultancy works was deleted.

“Wa nana namo gamita ang ikaduhang POWE,” Garcia said.

 The second POWE was also dated February 14, 2013 while the project construction was already ongoing.

“It is to belabor the obvious to state here that Mayor Garcia is administratively liable for grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, and dishonesty,” read Gica’s affidavit complaint.—(FREEMAN)