[IN PROGRESS]
Incumbent Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has been placed under a 6-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman over numerous charges, just days before the 2025 midterm elections on May 12.
Garcia is facing a string of cases, namely, the violation of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct for Government Officials, Grave Abuse of Authority, Gross Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, and Gross Negligence, reported RH 5 Val Gonzales.
On May 14, 2024, she allegedly issued a special permit to Shalom Construction Inc., without first obtaining an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Garcia claimed granting the permit was necessary to resolve the water shortage in Cebu City and seven other towns serviced by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District.
NOTES:
- She evoked the prohibition period where public officials may not be issued suspension orders during the election period
- This prompted her, upon the advice of her legal counsel, to write a clarificatory query to SILG Jonvic Remulla, saying it is the DILG that is tasked to implement the order
She said her legal team is ready to prove her innocence.
