PB Rejects Motion

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) on Monday denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Dumanjug town Mayor Nelson Garcia against his 60-day preventive suspension.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, for his part, said he will “act accordingly” on it, but did not categorically say when he would implement the resolution.

“I will act accordingly according to my best lights…according to my appreciation of the issues,” he said in a press conference at his office at the Capitol yesterday morning.

PB member Arleigh Sitoy, meanwhile, denied they smuggled in the resolution to Garcia’s motion, saying it was calendared for this Monday’s session. He said the other camp should also not make a big fuzz out of it as the resolution does not carry Garcia’s penalty yet, instead a mere preventive suspension so they can go ahead with the investigation. Sitoy is head of PB committee on complaints and investigation.

“My position is, it’s not a penalty. It’s not the end of the game, it’s just a preventive suspension. It’s no big deal. It’s up to the governor to come up with pertinent action. Nag-MR man sila then we will act on it fast so we can continue on our investigation,” Sitoy said.

He also said he would not inhibit from the case as called by Garcia’s camp.

“Nganung mo-inhibt man mi. First, gi-file-an case sa Ombudsman. How can we prove nga di na tinuod ang gisulti kung di mi mo investigate? We have no intention to inhibit ourselves,” he said.

Sitoy said that based on the documents of the investigating committee they could glean that Garcia has denied his vice mayor’s function to hire the legislative secretary. He said that while the mayor contended that he merely “designated” Emmilou Cabonillas as acting legislative secretary, his failure to convene the Personnel Selection Board for Cabonillas’ appointment proved that “galikay ang mayor.”

Sitoy added that there are reportedly Supreme Court cases wherein it has been proven that “designation is also equivalent to appointment.” Sitoy said he may request the board to call in Garcia and Vice Mayor Efren Gica, the two concerned legislative sectaries and other involved parties to be present in the session next week.

Photo above: Dumanjug town Mayor Nelson Garcia