Enforce legal principles in Gwen's suspension case

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Phillippine President, Bongbong Marcos Jr., has called for maintaning the rule of law and due process in light of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's preventive suspension by the Ombudsman over a protected area desilting permit controversy.

Just days before the midterm elections on May 12, 2025, the Ombudsman ordered a six-month suspension for Garcia, who has vowed to challenge the ruling. She alleges that the order violates the Omnibus Election Code, stating she was not given due process.

During a radio interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia clarified that suspensions of elective officials during the campaign period require approval from the poll body, with exceptions only for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

President Marcos Jr. released a statement on Thursday, May 1, urging fairness and adherence to the law. "Any action that affects the mandate of a duly elected official must go through the proper channels and be in accordance with the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code," he said. Marcos also reminded that decisions should always be guided by the law, prudence, and what is best for the Filipino people.

Cebu Governor Garcia questioned the legality of the Ombudsman’s suspension order, stating she did not receive a chance to answer the allegations. She also criticized the speed of the order’s issuance and pointed out that the complainant, Moises Garcia Deiparine, is affiliated with a partisan political group.

The suspension stems from allegations of grave abuse of authority and misconduct related to issuing the special permit without proper environmental clearance. Garcia defended her actions as necessary to address a severe water shortage caused by El Niño, arguing that the complaint is politically motivated.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires, in a statement, responded to Garcia’s defiance, calling it unsurprising given her past resistance to lawful orders. Martires questioned Garcia’s claims about the suspension violating Comelec rules, while also seeking the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) interpretation.

In 2018, Garcia was charged and ordered dismissed for a property deal, but remained in office until 2019 as the ruling was not enforced. Martires insisted that the suspension was issued in accordance with RA 6770, allowing for preventive suspension for up to six months when charges involve grave misconduct.

The suspension of Governor Garcia, although not affecting her reelection bid, has ignited controversy and debate about the independence of the Ombudsman’s office, due process, and the role of politics in public service during the election season.

The Cebu Governor's suspension, despite not affecting her reelection bid, has sparked a debate about the independence of the Ombudsman's office and the role of politics in public service during the election season.
President Marcos Jr. has urged fairness and adherence to the law, stating that any action that affects a duly elected official must go through the proper channels and be in accordance with the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code.
During a radio interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia clarified that suspensions of elective officials during the campaign period require approval from the poll body, with exceptions only for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Garcia's six-month preventive suspension by the Ombudsman over a protected area desilting permit controversy has been ordered just days before the midterm elections on May 12, 2025.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia alleges that the Ombudsman-ordered suspension violates the Omnibus Election Code, stating she was not given due process.
Ombudsman Samuel Martires has questioned Garcia's claims about the suspension violating Comelec rules, while also seeking the Department of Interior and Local Government's (DILG) interpretation.
Garcia's suspension stems from allegations of grave abuse of authority and misconduct related to issuing the special permit without proper environmental clearance.
The suspension order's speed and the affiliation of the complainant, Moises Garcia Deiparine, with a partisan political group, have raised questions about the legality and political motivations behind the suspension order.