MANILA, Philippines- Sinabi ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) na naghihintay ito ng utos mula sa Commission on Elections (Comelec) bago nito aksyunan ang suspension case ni Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia.
Sa press briefing sa Quezon City nitong Biyernes, sinabi ni DILG Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications Rolando Puno na kailangan nito ang pag-apruba ng Comelec upang maipatupad ang suspensyon ng elected officials sa campaign period.
“The DILG is still awaiting the reply of the Commission on Elections regarding a query that we sent in light of the pronouncement of the Comelec that suspension orders of elected officials during the campaign period must secure an approval from the Comelec,” pahayag ng opisyal.
“The DILG is not sitting on the matter… The pronouncement came from Comelec that any suspension of an elected official during the time of campaign period requires Comelec approval. So, we need to wait for that before DILG can act,” dagdag niya.
Pinatawan si Garcia ng six-month suspension na walang pay order mula sa ombudsman dahil sa alegasyon ng grave abuse of authority matapos umanong mag-isyu ng special permit sa isang construction company nang wala umanong legal na basehan.
Pinairal ang kautusan noong April 28, 2025.
Sinabi ng gobernador na aapela siya sa suspensyon, iginiit na ipinalabas niya ang special permit upang tugunan ang kritikal na water shortage.
“My legal team is already taking the necessary steps to challenge this preventive suspension through the proper legal channels. I have full faith that truth and justice will prevail,” giit niya. RNT/SA
