Ombudsman suspends Cebu’s Garcia for 6 months

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia has been suspended from her post for issuing a special quarry permit to a construction company without requiring an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and other documents.

In a four-page order dated April 23, the Office of the Ombudsman said Garcia would be suspended without pay for six months.

The ombudsman said the preventive suspension may be lifted any time the investigation into the complaint is finished or terminated.

State prosecutors said the order is “immediately executory” even as Garcia may file an appeal, unless lifted by the ombudsman or any court of competent jurisdiction.

A copy of the order was served on Garcia on Monday.

Despite the suspension, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Garcia would remain a candidate in the May 12 elections.

The Comelec said Garcia’s suspension would not affect her reelection bid.

The ombudsman said suspension would prevent Garcia from influencing witnesses or tampering with records and other pieces of evidence while the investigation is ongoing.

In a statement, Garcia said she respects the order of the ombudsman, but insisted that the issuance of the special permit was aboveboard and borne out of necessity to quickly address a looming water crisis.

“There was no personal interest or malice involved, only a deep sense of responsibility to act swiftly in the face of a growing burden due to the dwindling water supply,” Garcia said.

She said the issuance of the permit was approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other concerned government agencies.

The desiltation of the Mananga River had undergone consultation with concerned local government units, Garcia said.

She said she was not notified about the complaint, which was filed by a certain Moises Deiparine.

Garcia said she would challenge the suspension order. — Mayen Jaymalin