TRO ALLOWS GWEN TO FINISH TERM CA stops Garcia's suspension

The Court of Appeals has granted a 60-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) stopping the Office of the Ombudsman from enforcing a six-month preventive suspension against outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, effectively allowing her to finish her fifth term until noon of June 30.

- Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Staff Member

In a resolution dated May 15, 2025, the Court of Appeals Special 17th Division ordered Ombudsman Samuel Martires to halt the implementation of his April 23 order preventively suspending Garcia over alleged irregularities in the desilting of the Mananga River.

"Wherefore, premises considered, the prayer for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order is GRANTED. A Temporary Restraining Order is hereby issued, effective for sixty (60) days from notice, directing the Office of the Ombudsman, through public respondent Hon.

Samuel R. Martires, to CEASE from enforcing and implementing the Order dated April 23, 2025 issued in OMBC-A APR-25-0074," the dispositive portion of the court order reads.

The TRO was issued in response to a petition for certiorari with prohibition filed by Garcia seeking to stop the Ombudsman's order, which she claimed was issued without due process and in violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

The anti-graft body placed Garcia under preventive suspension following an administrative complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine, founder of the Duterte Riders Team Philippines.