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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Gov. Garcia appears for the first time since losing to Baricuatro

Gov. Garcia appears for the first time since losing to Baricuatro

Published May 16, 2025 10:07 pm
CEBU CITY – Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Friday, May 16, made her first public appearance since her stunning debacle in the mid-term elections.
CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia arrives in an exhibit in Cebu City on Friday, May 16, her first public appearance since her midterm elections debacle. (MyTVCebu)
CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia arrives in an exhibit in Cebu City on Friday, May 16, her first public appearance since her midterm elections debacle. (MyTVCebu)
Gracing the R’Cebu Exhibit at Robinsons Galleria here, Garcia acknowledged her seeming defeat and thanked her supporters who stood by her even after the shocking loss.
“It has been said that victory has many fathers and mothers, while defeat is an orphan. We had just witnessed the mid-term elections last May 12. And amidst this seeming defeat of your governor standing before you now, I would like to especially acknowledge those fathers and mothers who refused to leave and have not at least made me an orphan,” Garcia said.
Garcia was heavily favored when she sought a third and final term but a major upset unfolded when she lost to newcomer Pamela Baricuatro.
The head of the powerhouse One Cebu party just got 765,051 votes while Baricuatro received 1,107,924.
Garcia did not grant media interviews but towards the end of her speech, she announced that the Court of Appeals has granted a Temporary Restraining Order against the six-month suspension slapped against her by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The CA resolution dated May 15, 2025 instructed the Ombudsman to stop implementing the suspension related to the administrative complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine regarding a desilting project in Talisay City, Cebu.
“Wherefore, premises considered, the prayer for the issuance of a Temporary Restraining Order is granted,” the dispositive portion of the resolution signed by Associate Justice Marietta Brawner-Cualing as ponente, and concurred in by Justices Germano Francisco Legaspi and Michael Ong, said.
The CA cited its authority under the Ombudsman Act of 1989 to issue the TRO, “in order to preserve the status quo until the final determination of the instant petition for certiorari.”
Garcia was suspended for alleged abuse of authority in issuing a special permit to Shalom Construction Inc. for desilting the Mananga River without securing an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC), or prior consultation with relevant agencies.
Garcia denied any wrongdoing. She said the project was to address the worsening water shortage affecting Metro Cebu under the Metropolitan Cebu Water District.

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Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia
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