Latest news with #EnvironmentalComplianceCertificate
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GMA Network
3 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Nueva Ecija governor Umali suspended for one year over quarry permits
The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali for one year without pay, according to a report on ''24 Oras Weekend'' on Saturday. The suspension stemmed from a complaint alleging that Umali and other government officials had issued quarry permits without the required Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). GMA Integrated News has asked Umali for his comment on the suspension order. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Ombudsman fines Gwen Garcia P30,000 for indirect contempt
The Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a fine of P30,000 on outgoing Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia after finding her guilty of 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 — 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
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Ombudsman tells Cebu's Gwen Garcia, DILG to explain defiance of suspension order
The Office of the Ombudsman has directed Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia to explain her failure to heed its earlier suspension order. Ombudsman Samuel Martires also sought an explanation from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) why it has yet to implement the suspension, which was supposedly "immediately executory." In a communication dated May 19, 2025, the Ombudsman ordered Garcia "to show cause within five days from receipt thereof why you should not be cited for indirect contempt for continuously defying the 23 April 2025 Order of the Ombudsman preventively suspending you from office." The suspension does not exceed six months. It added that Garcia received a copy of the suspension order on April 29, 2025, and despite its "immediately executory nature" of the implementation, it said the governor "publicly avowed not to abide" by it. The order addressed to DILG Undersecretary Rolando Puno said that in a press conference held on May 9, 2025, the official said the agency will not act on the suspension order because it was still awaiting the response of the Commission on Elections to its query "as to the need to secure the Commission's approval for the suspension of elected officials during the campaign period." The Ombudsman said this was the DILG's response "when you office knows fully well that the Order has already been implemented and is immediately executory." "In view of this, you are hereby ordered to show cause within five days from receipt thereof why you should not be cited for indirect contempt for tolerating or consenting to the acts of defiance of respondent Garcia to the lawful order of preventive suspension issued against her..." Garcia is accused by a certain Moises Deiparine of granting a special permit to Shalom Construction, Inc. last 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. Garcia ran for a third consecutive three-year term as Cebu governor. However, she lost to Pamela Baricuatro. GMA News Online reached out to Garcia and the DILG for a comment. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
