Ombudsman asks CA: Allow Gwen's suspension

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to reverse its May 15 resolution issuing a 60-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the implementation of his office's preventive suspension order against outgoing Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

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In a 21-page motion for reconsideration filed before the CA Seventh Division on May 30, Martires stressed that the Office of the Ombudsman's authority to “suspend, remove or otherwise discipline erring government officials” is enshrined in the Constitution.

“Allowing the TRO to remain in effect-and thereby allowing petitioner Garcia to sidestep the preventive suspension - sends a troubling message: that legitimate grievances and complaints of graft and corruption, properly brought before the Ombudsman, can be nullified by a provisional remedy issued in contravention of established rules and jurisprudence,” Martires’ motion read.

“Lest it be forgotten, petitioner Garcia openly defied the Ombudsman's Preventive Suspension Order even before this Honorable Court issued the TRO. Verily, granting an injunctive relief to petitioner Garcia only serves to reinforce the perception that political giants in this country can act with impunity,” it added.