GOVERNOR CHALLENGES OMBUDSMAN'S ORDER dsns Gwen won't step down

This was the strong declaration of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia following the Office of the Ombudsman's order for her preventive suspension for six months over administrative charges involving a controversial special permit issued last year.

- Kristin de Dios and Mitchelle Palaubsanon Staff Members

Speaking before reporters in a press conference on April 30, Garcia stood her ground, citing legal prohibitions on suspensions during the election period and asserting that the order was issued without due process.

Backed by her legal team, Garcia said she has sent a clarificatory letter to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla, questioning the legality of implementing the suspension in the middle of an election campaign.

She vowed to continue serving as governor while awaiting a formal response from the DILG.

"Pending resolution of my query, I have decided to stay put in office and continue to serve as the governor of this great province of ours," Garcia said.

"This order came just a few days before the election.

We are in the thick of a very, shall we say, spirited and, in more colloquial terms, ugly campaign season... It is imperative that the Province of Cebu portrays this picture and impression of order, of resoluteness and firmness. I will not be perturbed," she added.

The six-month suspension order stems from an administrative complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine.

The complaint alleges that Garcia committed grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross negligence, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and violated Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The complaint accuses Garcia of issuing Special Permit No. 2024-09 in May 2024 to Shalom Construction, Inc. for desilting activities in the Mananga River, supposedly without securing the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or Certificate of Non-Coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and without proper consultation with relevant agencies.

GARCIA'S DEFENSE