Sanchez wants to teach aid lesson

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Board Member Grecilda “Gigi”Sanchez is determined to file a qualified theft complaint against the member of her staff who was arrested Sunday for possessing an ‘unlicensed’ firearm and drugs.

Sanchez has accused Alvin Bicada, 48, of stealing her jewelry worth P50,000. She said she does not tolerate such behavior and Bicada should be made to learn his lesson.

“It’s a matter of trust and confidence,” she said, adding, that Bicada is no longer welcome at her office.

Sanchez said she will also let the Capitol’s Committee on Discipline and Investigation headed by Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino to take action, considering that Bicada had evaded two surprise drug tests administered by the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission.

CPADAC Executive Director Joey Herrera said Bicada is facing investigation for gross subordination for refusing to heed the memorandum on the drug tests.

The arrest of Bicada in Sitio Buena Hills, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City yielded .45 pistol, one magazine, and a crystalline substance believed to be shabu. The arrest was prompted by a report that an armed man was spotted in the area.

During the arrest, pawnshop receipts worth P9,500 were also seized and Sanchez as able to recover her missing jewelry from a pawnshop near the Capitol.

Bicada is now facing charges for violation of the Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and RA9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002).

While working for Sanchez, Bicada was detailed at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to attend to the needs of Sanchez’ constituents from the third district. He also used to work for Sanchez’s father, the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez.

He was committed to Cebu City Jail Tuesday. — (FREEMAN)