No dismissal order yet vs Gica - DILG

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government has yet to receive the dismissal order against suspended Dumanjug Mayor Efren "Gungun" Gica.

DILG Provincial Director Jerome Gonzales said he will personally serve the order once it reaches his office.

The Ombudsman has dismissed Gica for serious dishonesty and grave misconduct for tampering with a restaurant receipt amounting to P11,435 to make it P21,435 in 2014.

Gica is still serving his one-year suspension for leading a police raid without a search warrant, firing at the air conditioning units of an alleged drug personality and taking the suspect’s appliances.

Gonzales said the dismissal order can be served at Gica's residence or to his legal counsel since the mayor no longer holds office in the municipal hall.

The dismissal order will only take effect after DILG has served the order and not after Gica has received the decision of the Ombudsman.

He already received the document from the Ombudsman which states that he is dismissed from service with forfeiture of all benefits, perpetual disqualification to hold public office and cancelation of all civil service eligibilities.

When serving the dismissal order, Gonzales will also bring a Notice to Assume for acting mayor Rainero Asentista who will have to assume all functions of the mayor while first councilor Cesar Baricuatro will become the vice mayor.

Gonzales explained that the Notice to Assume means Asentista will cease to be the acting mayor and will take oath as the new mayor of the town.

With an empty seat in the council, Baricuatro’s party will nominate someone who will replace him in the council.

It will be the governor who will appoint the new councilor as mandated in the Local Government Code. (FREEMAN)