BBM: Due process

OMBUDSMAN DEFENDS GWEN'S SUSPENSION President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has called for fairness and respect to be shown to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia amid her preventive suspension, stressing that due process and the rule of law must be upheld.

- Mitchele Palaubsanon, Staff Member

"Until all legal questions surrounding this suspension are resolved, she deserves to be treated fairly and with the respect owed to her office," the President said in an official statement posted on Facebook.

"Let me be clear: In a time like this—so close to the elections—it is vital that we uphold the rule of law and observe due process," he added.

Marcos said any action that affects the mandate of a duly elected official must go through proper channels and in accordance with the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code.

"Let us not allow politics to get in the way of public service. We must always be guided by the law, by prudence, and by what is best for the Filipino people," he said.

To recall, the Office of the Ombudsman issued an order dated April 23, 2025, preventively suspending Garcia for six months without pay over 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, or 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.

Gov. Garcia, meanwhile, stood firm on her decision not to step down, citing election prohibitions and lack of due process in the issuance of the order.