Ombudsman fines Cebu governor for defying suspension order

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has slapped a P30,000 fine on Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia for defying its preventive suspension order.

In April, the Ombudsman issued a six-month preventive suspension order on Garcia for alleged grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross negligence, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In an order dated June 10, the Ombudsman found Garcia guilty for indirect contempt.

“It is high time to now draw the line and hold you accountable for your contumacious defiance of the lawful authority of the Office of the Ombudsman,” the order stated.

READ: ‘Not surprised’ at Cebu governor defiance - Ombudsman

Last month, the Cebu governor explained that she did not defy the Ombudsman as a Court of Appeals division granted her request for a temporary restraining order against the suspension.

But the Ombudsman said the preventive suspension order was “immediately executory.”

“Your only lawful course of action was to vacate the Office of the Governor, immediately. This, you did not do,” the order read.

“Your contemptuous refusal to comply with the Preventive Suspension Order disrupts the orderly administration of justice and infringes upon the constitutionally entrenched powers of the Ombudsman,” it said.

The office noted that her disregard of the order constitutes “disrespect and insubordination.”

Ombudsman Samuel Martires preventively suspended Garcia amid an investigation on a special permit she granted to Shalom Construction despite lack of clearances from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.