The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will not implement the suspension order imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman against Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia until the Commission on Elections (Comelec) clarifies the matter.
DILG Undersecretary Rolando Puno said in a press conference on Friday, May 9, the decision has nothing to do with Gov. Garcia being a friend and ally of the Marcos administration.
“It has nothing to do whether she is a partymate or not. It is a legal question that validly needs a clear answer so that the DILG can move forward,” Puno said.
On April 23, Ombudsman Samuel Martires issued a preventive suspension order against Gov. Gwen Garcia for a complaint filed by Moises Garcia Deiparine for allegedly granting a special quarry permit to a construction company without requiring an environmental compliance certificate and other documents.
Governor Garcia has denied the allegations, explaining that the special permit was intended for desilting operations at the Mananga River to help the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) replenish the water supply at the Jaclupan dam.
Gov. Garcia questioned the swift issuance of the suspension order, citing the brief period between the filing of the complaint and the issuance of the directive. She said she would continue performing her duties until all legal issues shall have been clarified.
“The DILG is not sitting on that matter. It is just legitimate for us to wait for the reply of the Comelec regarding a serious query that the DILG has regarding the suspension order because the pronouncement came from the Comelec themselves that any suspension order of an elected official during the campaign period requires Comelec approval so we need to wait for that before the DILG can move,” he said.
He said Gov. Garcia would remain in her post unless the Comelec issues a definite answer to the DILG query.
Puno cited the dismissal of former Albay governor Grex Lagman, which was immediately implemented by the DILG because the respondent did not file an appeal.
“In the case of Garcia, a clarification was filed on the matter. That’s the difference,” he said. | with reports from The Freeman/PhilStar