Gwen faces complaint

The Ombudsman's order, signed by Officer-in-Charge Leilani P. Tagulao-Marquez of the PIAB-D, instructs Garcia to respond and provide evidence to counter the allegations, within 10 days.

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“Respondent’s failure to file her counter-affidavit and countervailing evidence, with proof of service to the complainants within the aforesaid period, shall be deemed as waiver, and the preliminary investigation shall proceed according to existing rules of procedure,” the order states.

WATER SUPPLY CONTRACT

The complaint, a copy of which was furnished to The Freeman, centers on the 2013 Bulk Water Supply Contract between the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) and Cebu Manila Water Development (CMWD), a joint venture involving the Province of Cebu.

Under the contract, CMWD undertook to supply and deliver water to MCWD at a minimum volume of 18,000 cubic meters per day for the first year, and 35,000 cubic meters daily for the second year onward, at a fixed rate of P24.59 per cubic meter for 20 years, or until 2033.

In 2023, CMWD wrote to the MCWD a notice of termination of the contract. This was deferred twice though, on 18 November and then 30 November, but the contract was ultimately pre-terminated on 1 December that year.