Ombudsman issues show cause order vs Gwen Garcia, DILG

THE Office of the Ombudsman has issued a show cause order directing outgoing Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to explain their defiance of the suspension order issued against her.

In an order dated May 19, the Office of the Ombudsman asked Garcia to explain, within five days after the receipt of the order, why she should not be cited in contempt for refusing to heed the suspension order against her.

“Records show that you received the 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 suspension,” read the order issued against Garcia and signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires.

In a separate order issued against DILG Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications Rolando Puno, the Office of the Ombudsman also asked him to explain why he should not be cited in contempt for “tolerating or consenting to the acts of defiance” of Garcia.

In a press conference on May 9, Puno said Garcia may remain in office despite the issuance of suspension order against her, as he raised the need for the agency to get a clarification on the matter from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) considering that the order was released during the election period.

SunStar has tried to reach Puno for a comment on the matter but he has yet to respond.

Under Comelec Resolution 11059, suspension of elective provincial officials without prior approval from the poll body during the election period is prohibited.

Garcia’s suspension stemmed from charges filed in relation to the issuance of special permit for desilting activities in the Mananga River in Talisay City, a protected area, during the El Niño phenomenon in 2024 without proper environmental clearance.

Garcia failed to secure reelection during the just concluded 2025 national and local elections. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)