Governor Gwen's tenure continues through June 30th
Rewritten Article:
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu is sticking around, mate. The Court of Appeals (CA) recently halted her preventive suspension, allowing her to stay in office till her term ends on June 30, 2025 - just a few weeks away now.
This decision dropped just days after the midterm elections, and it was a relief for the governor, who made the announcement during her first public appearance post-polls.
In a 10-page ruling, the CA's Special 17th Division granted Garcia a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Ombudsman, rubbishing the preventive suspension tied to a desilting permit she issued last year.
Garcia's troubles started with a complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine, accusing her of granting a special permit to Shalom Construction Inc. in 2024, without proper environmental clearance. The permit allowed desilting work in the Mananga River in Talisay City.
The Ombudsman found Garcia guilty of multiple charges, including grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, and violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. But the governor defended her actions, stating the permit was necessary to address a worsening water crisis.
The TRO effectively protects Garcia for the remainder of her term, despite her loss in the election to Governor-elect Pamela Baricuatro. Garcia received the news while en route to the R' Cebu Expo for the 2nd and 6th Districts, and she told her supporters about it at the event.
The CA has asked Deiparine to file a comment and show cause within 10 days as to why a writ of preliminary injunction shouldn't be issued. If Garcia replies within five days after receiving the response, this saga might just drag on for another couple of weeks.
It's been said that Deiparine is a partisan figure affiliated with political groups, and the Ombudsman, Samuel Martires, is an appointee of former President Rodrigo Duterte - Garcia's erstwhile political ally.
In her speech at the R' Cebu event, Governor Garcia acknowledged her defeat but was careful not to offer a formal concession. Whether she plans to appeal the court's decision or bow out gracefully remains to be seen, mate. Keep an eye on this one; it's gonna be a wild ride!
Enrichment Insights (Integrated):Garcia's legal challenge against the Ombudsman's preventive suspension order led to the CA issuing the TRO, and as a result, she can remain in office until her term ends on June 30, 2025. The administrative complaint and suspension are still pending, waiting for further legal proceedings. [1]
Garcia's suspension order tied to the desilting permit was issued by the Ombudsman on April 23, 2025, over alleged irregularities. [2]
Prior to the TRO, the Ombudsman had prepared Garcia to respond to the administrative cases filed against her, instructing her to file a counter-affidavit. [3]
- Despite losing the election, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu can continue her term in office, as the Court of Appeals (CA) has granted a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against her preventive suspension.
- This decision by the CA came days after the midterm elections, and it reverses the preventive suspension tied to a desilting permit issued by Garcia last year, which was under investigation for allegedly not having proper environmental clearance.
- In general-news, the CA has asked the party that initially filed the complaint, Moises Garcia Deiparine, to file a comment and show cause within 10 days as to why a writ of preliminary injunction shouldn't be issued.
- The decision to grant the TRO and its potential fallout, including further legal proceedings, is closely tied to policy-and-legislation, politics, and justice in Cebu and the Philippines.
