Magpale, Sitoy declared ‘persona non grata’ in Dumanjug

FOR “maligning” the reputation of suspended Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, the Dumanjug municipal council passed a resolution declaring Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale and Provincial Board (PB) member Arleigh Sitoy as “persona non grata.”

“We find it unacceptable that they continually malign Governor Garcia who brought much development to our town. They aren’t welcome in Dumanjug for what they did to a child of Dumanjug,” Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia said.

Garcia, the suspended governor’s younger brother, also said Sitoy was a classmate and a good friend way back in high school.

“They besmirched the name of our family…I am angry at them. He was treated as family…our family helped him much,” the mayor said.

Sitoy told Cebu Daily News he considered the mayor’s comments as “political ads.”

“Political ads from a good friend which I don’t mind. Passed by Dumanjug on Friday unscathed. Thanks to my friend, Nelson,” he said in a text message.

Three councilors belonging to the Liberal Party (LP) in the Dumanjug council asked not to sign the resolution.

Mayor Garcia said the declaration will only be lifted if both Magpale and Sitoy will issue a “public apology” to his sister. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus