Authority Figure Criticizes Swift Decision by Ombudsman
Rewritten Article:
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is firing back at the Office of the Ombudsman over a six-month preventive suspension, claiming it as an expedited action. During a press conference on May 3, 2025, Garcia, alongside her legal consultant, Atty. Rory Jon Sepulveda, declared that they had just received the full complaint on the allegations against her.
The suspension stems from accusations of issuing a special permit for desilting activities in the Mananga River, a protected area in Talisay City, during the 2024 El Niño period. The complaint, filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine, alleges abuse of authority in early 2024.
However, during the press conference at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, Garcia and Sepulveda highlighted their concerns about the timeline of the implementation of the preventive suspension order.
Crunching the Timeline
Sepulveda presented the complaint to the media, emphasizing the swift timeline. The complaint was filed on April 21; the suspension order was signed on April 24; Garcia was served the order on April 28; and a "special team" of investigators was formed two days later.
Sepulveda questioned the single signature on the suspension order, suggesting unusual haste.
"The Governor pointed out that there seems to be an inordinate interest from the Ombudsman in this case," said Sepulveda. "The order only appears to carry one signature...Now it's clear that it's only signed by one person without any assistance or intervention from other Ombudsman officials."
Garcia, having sent a clarificatory letter to the Department of the Interior and Local Government, vowed to take action and fight the suspension. She argues that the suspension violates the Omnibus Election Code, as it lacked Commission on Elections (Comelec) approval and due process.
"Is this the norm for the Ombudsman? Because I'm starting to see statement after statement that seem quite incomplete in facts," said Garcia, accusing Martires of being grossly misinformed. "A suspension order just 12 days before an election...We know very well what kind of impact it can have on voters, and we can't reach everyone. Explain to each and every one what this is. But when the President speaks, everyone listens," she added.
Garcia has pledged to contest the suspension, positioning the upcoming legal battle to potentially make a significant impact on the elections.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed his support for the rule of law and fairness, which Garcia acknowledged. In a press conference, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro maintained that Marcos only wanted to uphold the rule of law, but would not intervene in matters linked to Governor Garcia's preventive suspension.
"The President's stance is always based on what the law requires; politics won't be our excuse. Politics may bring up certain issues, but the President only seeks to adhere to what the law states," she added.
The President, in a statement, said any action that affects the mandate of a duly elected official must go through the proper channels and in accordance with the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code, especially considering that the preventive suspension order was issued within the election period.
Under Philippine law, a preventive suspension is a precautionary measure to protect the integrity of the investigation or operations. It is intended to prevent the official from using their position to obstruct the investigation. The allegations against Garcia revolve around grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, and gross negligence in issuing a special permit for quarrying activities within the Central Cebu Protected Landscape (CCPL), allegedly without proper consultation with other government agencies. However, Garcia's legal team plans to challenge the suspension order, with her claiming the decision was made with the approval of the provincial board that had declared a state of calamity due to the water shortage. The Ombudsman, on the other hand, has criticized Garcia for defying the suspension order, noting this was not the first time she had challenged lawful orders from the Ombudsman.
- Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is challenging the Office of the Ombudsman's preventive suspension, arguing it violates the Omnibus Election Code.
- The suspension, issued over allegations of issuing a special permit for desilting activities, lacked Commission on Elections (Comelec) approval and due process, according to Garcia.
- The Ombudsman's response to these claims has not been public, but the Ombudsman has previously criticized Garcia for defying lawful orders.
- This political drama unfolds in the general news, alongside other events such as war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, highlighting the complexities of Philippine politics.
- In the midst of upcoming elections, Geraldine Garcia's legal battle against the suspension could potentially have a significant impact on voter decisions.
- The political landscape of Cebu, including its provincial policy-and-legislation, is being closely watched, with eyes on how this case will unfold and the role it will play in the 2025 elections.
