Garcia warns new town mayor: Don’t take orders from Gica

CEBU, Philippines - Former Dumanjug mayor Nelson Garcia has sternly warned the new town mayor that he will suffer the same fate of mayor Efren Guntrano Gica, who was dismissed from the service, if he allows himself to be dictated by his political ally.

Garcia issued the warning after he received information that Mayor Rainero “Rene” Asentista is allegedly taking orders from Gica.

“If he will let Gica dictates him, he will suffer the same consequences in the future,” said Garcia, the principal complainant in the case that led to Gica’s dismissal.

The anti-graft body dismissed Gica for allegedly falsifying his liquidation report and supporting documents to conceal his "misappropriation" of public funds amounting to P10,000 in 2014.

The Ombudsman-Visayas found Gica guilty of dishonesty and grave misconduct and ordered for his dismissal, which carries with it forfeiture of all benefits, perpetual disqualification to hold public office, and cancellation of civil service eligibility.

Asentista assured that he will honestly and faithfully serve his constituents.

He added that he will continue the projects and programs started by his predecessor, including the waterworks system and the farm-to-market roads.

Garcia said someone tipped him off that Asentista is still taking orders from the dismissed mayor.

“There are talks that Gica is dictating the newly-installed mayor. It cannot be. The mayor has his own mind. He can’t be dictated all the time…” he said.

Garcia advised Asentista to serve the constituents of Dumanjug with no political colors and render the kind of service Dumanjuganons deserve.

“I hope the new mayor will do the right thing for Dumanjug. Dili niya daog-daogon ang mga tawo. He should be honest and dili siya mangukarot pareha ni Gica,” he said.

He said Gica’s dismissal order should be a wake-up call not only for the local government unit of Dumanjug but also for other LGUs.

“There are so many cases against Gica pending resolutions. This is a wake-up call. They have to wake up and be vigilant against corruption kay dili man ni kwarta nato because this is the people’s money.  It’s their taxes and we must protect their money,” he said.

“We have to stop. Our President is really serious about corruption. Dili nato palabyon ang mga corrupt officials sa gobyerno,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte has been stressing his intolerance for corruption.

The Chief Executive has encouraged the public to report corruption and other inefficiencies in the bureaucracy through hotline 8888. —/FPL (FREEMAN)