‘Garcia did not defy suspension order’

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of outgoing Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has denied allegations that she defied the order of the Office of the Ombudsman suspending her for six months.

Garcia’s camp issued the statement after the ombudsman directed the governor to explain why she should not be cited in contempt for refusing to follow the order.

In a separate show-cause order, the ombudsman directed Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Ronaldo Puno to explain why he should not be cited for indirect contempt for not implementing Garcia’s suspension.

Both Garcia and Puno were given five days from receipt of the show-cause order to submit their written explanations.

The ombudsman said Puno semed to be tolerating or consenting to Garcia’s defiance.

The show-cause order was dated May 19 but released to journalists only yesterday.

Garcia’s counsel, Alex Avisado, said there was no legal basis for the ombudsman to cite the governor in contempt.

Avisado said Garcia did not defy the order of the ombudsman, but merely availed herself of legal remedies.

“Gov. Garcia actually challenged the legality of the issuance of the preventive suspension order before the Court of Appeals,” Avisado said in a statement.

Garcia’s legal consultant, Rory Jon Sepulveda, said the show-cause order has been rendered moot and academic with the issuance of a 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) by the appellate court on May 15.

The TRO stopped the ombudsman from enforcing the suspension order against Garcia.

Last month, the ombudsman suspended Garcia for six months for alleged violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Garcia is also facing administrative charges of grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross negligence, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The complaint stemmed from Garcia’s issuance of a special permit to a quarry operator without requiring an environmental compliance certificate and other documents.

Garcia refused to step down, saying she and her team would first seek clarification from the DILG as the order was issued within the election period.