Ombudsman Samuel Martires found outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia guilty of indirect contempt for ignoring the six-month preventive suspension against her, imposing a P30,000-fine against the local official.
“Indeed, your contemptuous refusal to comply with the Preventive Suspension Order disrupts the orderly administration of justice and infringes upon the constitutionally entrenched powers of the Ombudsman. As well, your failure to comply with the Preventive Suspension Order constitutes disrespect and insubordination, plain and simple,” Martires’ June 10 order read.
“This behavior undermines not only the integrity of the Office of the Ombudsman, but more grievously, the very rule of law itself. As the head of the Provincial Government of Cebu, you are expected to lead by example and serve as a role model of accountability and lawful conduct to your constituents,” it added.
Garcia stood firm on her ground that she would not step down despite Martires’ order, maintaining she was not in defiance of the order but was just following the advice of her lawyers to stay in office. She added that the order was issued during the election ban to suspend any public official without the approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
However, Martires said the governor’s actions “disrupt the orderly administration of justice and infringe upon the constitutionally entrenched powers of the Ombudsman.”
A complaint was filed against Garcia for abuse of authority in the issuance of a permit to a construction firm involved in a desiltation project at the Mananga River in Talisay City.
The project allegedly did not have an environmental compliance certificate or a certificate of non-coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or prior consultation with other concerned government agencies.
