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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman preventively suspends for 6 months Cebu Gov Garcia

Ombudsman preventively suspends for 6 months Cebu Gov Garcia

Published Apr 29, 2025 07:20 am

Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires has ordered the six-month preventive suspension of Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia over the issuance of a quarry permit in a protected areas in 2024.

Office of the Ombudsman.png

In an order, Martires said Garcia's preventive suspension is immediately executory and the suspension cannot be interrupted unless ordered by his office or by a court of competent jurisdiction.

"Wherefore, in consonance with Section 9 of Administrative Order No. 17, amending Rule III of Administrative Order No. 07 (Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman) and Section 24 of Republic Act No. 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989), respondent Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia, Province of Cebu, is hereby placed under preventive suspension, without pay, until the administrative adjudication on this case is terminated, but not to exceed six months, except when the delay in the disposition of the case is due to their fault, negligence or petition, in which case the period of delay shall not be counted in computing the period of preventive suspension," the order issued by Martires stated.

The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) acted on the complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine who charged Garcia administratively for Grave Abuse of Authority, Gross Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, Gross Negligence, Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service, and for violation of Republic Act 6713, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Deiparine alleged in his complaint that Garcia issued Special Permit No, 2024-09 to Shalom Construction, Inc., represented by Anthony James C. Limchesing, on May 14, 2024 without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) nor a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or prior study or consultation with other relevant government agencies.

"The suspension was about the issuance of a quarry permit in a protected area," Martires confirmed with reporters.

He said that this case is even "worse" than the Chocolate Hills resort controversy in Bohol, as the damage done in Bohol is not that "extensive."

"Eh itong quarrying it destroys everything. Tapos sa protected area pa (This quarrying destroys everything. And it's even in a protected area)," Martires added as he confirmed that the affected area is covered by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Related Tags

Gwendolyn Garcia Ombudsman Samuel Martires Ombudsman Cebu Governor illegal quarrying samuel martires Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ILLEGAL QUARRY GWEN GARCIA
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