Binatikos ni Ombudsman Samuel Martires si Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia dahil sa pagsuway sa six-month suspension na ipinataw sa kanya.
Hindi na ikinagulat ni Martires ang ginawa ni Garcia lalo pa at hindi ito ang umanong beses na dinedma ni Garcia ang desisyun ng Ombudsman.
“The public declaration of suspended Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia that she will remain in office notwithstanding the valid suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman that was implemented and served upon her did not come to us as a surprise. This is not the first time Governor Garcia has defied the rule of law, particularly the lawful order and decision of the Office of the Ombudsman,”ani Martires.
Iginiit ni Martirez na nakagawa ng grave abuse of authority si Garcia sa pag-isyu ng special permit ng sa isang construction company ng walang ligal na basehan.
Una nang iginiit ni Garcia na mananatili siya sa posisyon at sumulat na siya kay
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla for clarification.
“In this instance, Cong (now Governor) Gwen Garcia defied the Ombudsman’s Decision and without any Court Order remained in Office until June 2019 because the Decision of the Ombudsman was not implemented by the leadership of the House of Representatives,” pahayag ni Martires.
Iginiit ng Ombudsman na sinusunod ng nito ang observed due process, kabilang ang paglalabas ng suspension order laban sa Cebu governor.
“We would like to assure the good Governor that due process was observed in the issuance of the preventive suspension order. For her guidance, a preventive suspension order is issued before the start of the investigation. The requirement of Section 24 of Republic Act 6770 (The Ombudsman Act of 1989) was strictly followed.” Teresa Tavares
