Town VM, councilor face charges

Gica brothers of Dumanjug accused of slapping councilor during session in Dumanjug

DUMANJUG Vice Mayor Efren Guntrano “Gungun” Gica yesterday said they didn’t receive a notice regarding the grave slander by deed case against him and his brother, Councilor Erwin “Wado” Gica, that’s why they failed to answer in court.

Vice Mayor Gica reacted to reports that Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba approved the filing of the case after finding probable cause to hold them for trial.

Dumanjug Municipal Councilor Eliezer Ama- dora filed the case against the Gica brothers who reportedly slapped him while they were about to hold a session on Nov. 19, 2014.

Amadora said it all started when Vice Mayor Gica told the councilors where to sit.

Amadora said that when he arrived at the session hall, he sat beside Councilor Miriam Llano on the second row, while Councilors Ricardo Condes and Ricardo Boquecosa were seated in the front row.

Dumanjug Councilor Eliezer Amadora filed case against Gica brothers who reportedly slapped him while they were about to hold a session on Nov. 19, 2014

Amadora, who was already seated, asked Vice Mayor Gica to allow him to sit behind Condes and Boquecosa.

Loud voice

Vice Mayor Gica scolded him in a loud voice. So, to avoid trouble, Amadora said he obliged and sat in the front row beside Boquecosa.

Amadora said he murmured, “Paita ani oy,” as he felt embarrassed.

His remark irked Councilor Gica, who threatened to him hit with an ashtray. Amadora challenged Councilor Gica to go ahead and do it.

Amadora said Councilor Gica slapped him in the left cheek. Vice Mayor Gica joined in the fray.

During the preliminary investigation, Amadora’s colleagues, Municipal Councilors Boquecosa, Condes, Llano and Antonio Garcia testified against the Gica brothers.

Prosecutor 1 Mildred Antepuesto found them probably guilty of the accusation. She said the Gicas did not submit counter-affidavits so the case was elevated to the court based on the evidence presented by the complainant.

But in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Vice Mayor Gica denied the allegation. He said that if it happened, why did Ama- dora not seek medical attention?

“I will answer all his allegations in court,” Vice Mayor Gica said.

He said they did not file a counter-affidavit because they didn’t receive any notice that they were being charged with the provincial prosecutor’s office.

He said their father, lawyer Edgar Gica, has a law office, which is easy to locate, but no notice or order to answer any complaint was delivered there.