One week reprive for Garcia PB defers decision until next Monday

CEBU, Philippines- The Cebu Provincial Board has deferred until next Monday its decision on whether or not to approve the recommendation of the committee on complaints and investigation meting out Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia a penalty of six months suspension after he was found guilty of grave abuse of authority.

The decision to defer the deliberation was reached after Board Member Alex Binghay requested for it. Binghay said he needs more time to study the report so he can “intelligently and objectively” participate in the discussion.

 According to Binghay, it was only yesterday afternoon that he received a copy of the committee report. PB Secretary Pulchra Acevedo said that copies of the committee report were attached in the agenda which were sent to all members of the board Friday afternoon. 

But Binghay said he was out of town that day and was only able to get back to his office yesterday afternoon in time to attend the session. Board Member Sun Shimura said he had not also read the report and needed more time to study it.

Citing Rule 8, Section 9 of the PB House Rules, Shimura said when a decision of an investigating committee is submitted to the board, the body is allowed to debate on it before making its final decision, and for it to be able to give a thorough discussion, it must study the report.

Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III objected to the request to defer the discussion, saying majority of the members of the board had read the report.

Martinez, however, withdrew his objection after Board Member Arleigh Sitoy, chairman of the committee who made the recommendation and his members, agreed to defer the discussion until next Monday.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale would have divided the house but was prevented from doing so because of the withdrawal of the objection.

For “humanitarian” reason, Board Member Christopher Baricuatro told his colleagues in the board that the hearing of the complaint has gone through for more than one year and it would not hurt them if they defer their decision for another week.

 Sitoy said he agreed to postpone the decision as the matter takes “some serious discussion” because it involves suspending a town mayor.

He clarified that he favored for the postponement out of “philanthropic” act to his colleague and not to the beleaguered Garcia, who was there to witness the session.

In an interview with the media shortly after the board postponed the verdict on his case, Garcia said he is expecting the board to be divided like what had happened when it voted to suspend him for two months last year.

He has, however, resigned to the fact that majority of the members of the board are party mates of the complainant, Vice Mayor Guntrano Gica, in the Liberal Party.

Garcia said he would have wanted the board to hear his side, even for a day. But he alleged that most of them are swayed easily by what is fed by Board Member Grecilda Sanchez, whom he described as liar for concocting evidence against him.

Sanchez is the daughter of the former vice governor, the late Greg Sanchez, a known archenemy of Garcia’s sister, former governor and now third district Rep. Gwen Garcia.

 The mayor, who is with One Cebu Party, said that what has transpired before his eyes was a “grand conspiracy” perpetuated by the members of the investigating committee. One reason, he cited, is the five pending criminal cases he filed before it that until yesterday had yet to be resolved, while the case filed against him by his vice mayor was immediately decided.

“Unsay fairness sa Provincial Board? Partisan man na sila,” he said.

Meanwhile, the board yesterday dismissed a similar complaint filed against Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura for lack of substantial evidence.

The complaint was filed by Carcar City Councilor Archilles Gantuangco. The body adopted during its regular session the recommendation of the committee headed by Sitoy.  (FREEMAN)