■ GOVERNOR WARNED AGAINST REINSTATING DISMISSED DUMANJUG MAYOR

Former deputy House speaker Pablo Garcia yesterday warned Gov. Hilario Davide III against reinstating dismissed Dumanjug mayor Guntrano Gica, otherwise he could be charged criminally and administratively. Davide had said he was thinking of reinstalling Gica after the Provincial Board (PB) dismissed the latter’s case for lack of evidence. Garcia said the PB has nothing to investigate because the complainant, former mayor Nelson Garcia, withdrew the case after the Deputy Ombudsman-Visayas requested him to file not only a criminal case but also an administrative case against Gica. Garcia said that Nelson, his son, filed a complaint in July 2014 against Gica for malversation of public funds, falsification of official document and for violating Republic Act 3019. Gica reportedly was the acting mayor at that time he falsified the receipt issued by a restaurant. But because of the ombudsman’s request and the PB’s inaction, Nelson withdrew his verified complaint for dishonesty against Gica. On Nelson’s administrative complaint against Gica, the graft office found the latter guilty of grave misconduct and ordered his dismissal from office. Gica filed a motion for reconsideration, claiming that he did not receive a copy of the criminal complaint and asked that he be given “due process” and an opportunity to present his defense. After reviewing the case, the ombudsman affirmed its decision and filed a criminal case against Gica before the Sandiganbayan. “The decision of the PB is an interference of the job of the ombudsman and the plan of Davide to reinstate Gica as mayor is illegal and without basis,” Garcia said.