DILG: Gwen stays

A top official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced Friday that the agency will not enforce the six-month preventive suspension ordered by the Office of the Ombudsman against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia until the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provides clarification.

- Bella Cariaso, Philstar News Service Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Staff Member

At a press conference, DILG Undersecretary Rolando Puno denied that the agency’s decision not to implement the suspension was influenced by Garcia’s ties to the Marcos administration.

“It has nothing to do whether she is a partymate or not. It is a legal question that validly needs a clear answer so that the DILG can move forward,” Puno said.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued the preventive suspension order on April 23, 2025, in response to an administrative complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine. The complaint accuses Garcia of grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross negligence, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Deiparine alleged that Garcia issued Special Permit No. 2024-09 to Shalom Construction, Inc., represented by Anthony James Limchesing, on May 14, 2024, without securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). The complaint further stated that the permit was issued without a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and that no prior consultation or study with relevant government agencies took place.

Governor Garcia has denied the allegations, explaining that the special permit was intended for desilting operations at the Mananga River to help the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) replenish the water supply at the Jaclupan dam.