Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Thursday strongly criticized Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia for ignoring the six-month suspension his office imposed on her. He said her defiance “did not come as a surprise.”
Martires pointed out that this isn’t the first time Garcia has challenged the rule of law or the Ombudsman’s authority. The suspension stems from allegations of grave abuse of authority after Garcia issued a special permit to a construction company without a legal basis.
Despite the suspension order, Garcia declared on Wednesday that she would “stay put” as governor. She explained that she had written to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla seeking clarification before stepping down.
Martires reminded the public of a similar case in 2018 when then-Congresswoman Garcia was ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman for a property purchase that turned out to be underwater. Yet, she ignored the order and remained in office until June 2019 because the House of Representatives didn’t enforce the Ombudsman’s decision.
The Ombudsman emphasized that due process was carefully followed in suspending Garcia this time. As Martires explained, a preventive suspension is issued before an investigation to protect evidence, prevent witness harassment, and stop further wrongdoing. He rejected Garcia’s claim that politics played a role, underscoring that the Ombudsman acts independently and fairly.
To avoid past issues, the suspension order was not channeled through Remulla’s office, preventing leaks that previously allowed respondents to dodge legal consequences.
Martires affirmed the Ombudsman’s role as an independent guardian of justice, committed to fighting corruption and defending the people’s rights. The drama between Cebu’s top officials continues to unfold, raising questions about power, accountability, and the rule of law.
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