Ombudsman fines Gwen Garcia P30,000 for indirect contempt
In a copy of the order posted by GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong, the Ombudsman said Garcia refused to step down as governor despite a preventive suspension order issued by the office on April 23 and received by Garcia on April 29.
BREAKING: Ombudsman rules outgoing Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia guilty of indirect for defying Ombudsman suspension order; fines P30,000 @gmanews @24orasgma pic.twitter.com/UGbFqGGxCD — Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) June 13, 2025
"Despite implementation thereof and its immediately executory nature, you have willfully and openly refused to step down from your position as Governor," it read.
The Ombudsman's suspension stemmed from allegations that Garcia granted a special permit to Shalom Construction, Inc. on May 14, 2024 without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or prior study/consultation with other relevant government agencies.
GMA News Online has requested comment from Garcia regarding the matter, but she has yet to respond as of posting time.
Garcia previously said her legal team would challenge the suspension.
She had also said the issuance of a special permit to Shalom Construction, Inc. was approved by the Provincial Board, which earlier declared the entire Province of Cebu under a state of calamity due to acute water shortage.
Garcia lost in the recent gubernatorial race to her closest poll rival Pam Baricuatro.
She has filed an election protest with the Commission on Elections (Comelec). — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Bam Aquino: Ninoy's death was result of his love for country
Senator Bam Aquino leads the commemoration of the 42nd death anniversary of his uncle, Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino Jr., in Paranaque City on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Manila's international airport was named after the former senator, considered an icon of Philippine democracy, after he was assassinated in 1983. DANNY PATA Senator Bam Aquino on Thursday called on Filipinos to continue fighting for freedom and justice as he paid tribute to his uncle, late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., on his 42nd death anniversary. In a Facebook post, Bam recalled his memories with Ninoy when the latter was still imprisoned and until he was assassinated at the Manila International Airport—now named in his honor—on August 21, 1983. "Nang pinili niyang umuwi noong 1983, alam niyang mapanganib, alam niyang maaari siyang makulong o mapatay. Pero pinili pa rin niya. Sapagkat para sa kanya, mas mahalaga ang makasama ang sariling bayan kaysa manatili sa Amerika na ligtas at mapayapa," Bam Aquino said. (When he decided to go back to the Philippines in 1983, he knew it was dangerous. He knew he could be imprisoned or killed. But he still chose to go home. Because for him, it is more important to be in his own country than to stay in America where it is safe and peaceful.) "Kaya't ang kanyang pagkamatay ay hindi lang basta dahil sa bala, ito'y bunga ng pinakamalalim na pagmamahal sa bayan. Hanggang ngayon, iyon ang pinakamalaking alaala niya para sa akin. Ang tunay na pamumuno ay nakaugat sa pagmamahal—sa Diyos, sa pamilya, at higit sa lahat, sa bayan," he added. (Ninoy's death was not just because of a bullet, it was the result of his deepest love for the Filipinos. To this day, that is his greatest memory for me. True leadership is rooted in love—for God, for family, and most of all, for the people.) Ninoy Aquino was a staunch critic of late former President Ferdinand Marcos, father of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. The elder Marcos was succeeded by Ninoy's widow, Corazon Aquino, following the EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986. Bam Aquino on Thursday morning led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 to commemorate the 42nd death anniversary of his uncle. "Kung si Tito Ninoy, sa pinakamadilim na bahagi ng kanyang buhay at ng ating kasaysayan, ay hindi bumitaw sa pag-asa, paano pa tayo ngayon? Sa hirap o ginhawa, sa gulo man o katahimikan, tandaan natin: Yes, the Filipino is worth dying for and worth fighting for. Tuloy ang laban," the incumbent senator said. (If Uncle Ninoy didn't lose hope during the darkest time of his life and our history, what about us now? In times of hardship or comfort, in chaos or silence, let's remember: Yes, the Filipino is worth dying for and worth fighting for. The fight will continue.) — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 hours ago
- GMA Network
Aquino family, allies mark Ninoy's 42nd death anniversary
Family members and allies of the democracy icon and late Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino, Jr., marked his 42nd death anniversary with a Holy Mass on Thursday as they looked back at his legacy of bringing hope to Filipinos. 'Ito ay tungkol sa pagmamahal sa bayan. Si Lolo Ninoy, nagawa niya lahat ng nagawa niya…iyong seven years at seven months na pagkakakulong, umuwi siya kahit may banta sa kanyang buhay…kasi minahal niya ang Pilipinas. Thank you for Lolo Ninoy for showing us that we can really have hope in the dark,' Kiko Aquino-Dee, Ninoy's grandson, told reporters. Ninoy's assassination at the then Manila International Airport sparked the People Power Revolution in February 1986 that ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. after a two-decade regime. President Marcos, Sr.'s only son and namesake, Marcos, Jr. was elected President in May 2022. President Marcos, Jr., in his messagef or the commemoration of the Ninoy Aquino Day shows that the country is ready for leadership that seeks reconciliation. "In honoring this day, the Republic signals its readiness to uphold leadership that strives towards wholeness and reconciliation," Marcos said. Marcos said that through this observance, "we advance the work of statecraft: disciplined, steady, and shaped by the enduring imperative to choose peace above quarrel, and dignity beyond differences." —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 hours ago
- GMA Network
Marcos: Ninoy Aquino Day shows PH ready for leadership that seeks reconciliation
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said the 42nd death anniversary of late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. calls for governing with sobriety, conscience and foresight that rises above quarrels and differences. Marcos made the remark as he joined the Filipino nation in commemorating the death of Aquino, who was a fierce critic of his father, late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. "This day, therefore, becomes an invitation to govern with sobriety, conscience, and foresight. Our commemoration achieves meaning when the lessons of the past are reflected in our actions and in the moral architecture of institutions," Marcos said in his message. "In honoring this day, the Republic signals its readiness to uphold leadership that strives towards wholeness and reconciliation," he added. Marcos said that through this observance, "we advance the work of statecraft: disciplined, steady, and shaped by the enduring imperative to choose peace above quarrel, and dignity beyond differences." He said Ninoy Aquino Day brings to light a chapter in our nation's shared story that continues to echo across generations and public memory. "The passage of time has allowed the country to approach this event with greater clarity and, therefore, with a deeper perspective. History invites reflection more than reaction and from that reflection arises a clearer understanding of civic duty," Marcos said. Marcos shared that as someone raised within a political tradition formed by profound transformation, he has come to understand that history offers less final judgment than continuing instruction. "It sharpens how we serve, how we listen, and how we bear the weight of an office with a greater purpose moving forward," Marcos said. The President had declared August 21 as a special non-working holiday. Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport, now named in his honor, on August 21, 1983. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
