The Office of the Ombudsman has issued separate show cause orders to Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communication Rolando C. Puno over their failure to comply with a lawful suspension court order.
On Friday, May 23, 2025, the Ombudsman asked Garcia to explain within five days why she should not be cited for indirect contempt for her continued defiance of the preventive suspension order issued on April 23, 2025 by the Ombudsman in connection with administrative charges filed against her.
“Records show that you received a copy of the Order on 29 April 2025 and despite the implementation thereof by this Office and its immediately executory nature, you have publicly avowed not to abide by the Order on preventive suspension,” the show cause order addressed to Garcia states.
In a separate show cause order, DILG Undersecretary Puno was also asked to justify why he should not be cited for indirect contempt for publicly stating that the DILG would not act on the suspension order against Garcia until the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had responded to a query regarding the enforcement of suspensions during the campaign period.
“Reports show that in the press conference held on 9 May 2025, you stated that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will not act on the 23 April 2025 Order of the Ombudsman… when your office knows fully well that the Order has already been implemented and is immediately executory,” the Ombudsman said in its order.
The Ombudsman emphasized that a copy of the preventive suspension order was furnished to the DILG on April 29, 2025.
Governor Garcia previously argued that she disagreed with both the grounds and timing of the suspension, which was issued weeks ahead of the May 12, 2025 midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Usec. Puno has claimed that the DILG is waiting for Comelec's guidance on whether it needs approval to enforce suspensions of elected officials during the campaign period.
Under Republic Act No. 6713, the complaint accuses Garcia of grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross negligence, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
