PJ advises Gwen to comply with Ombudsman order

Local

CEBU 3rd District Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia has offered a rare public word of advice to his sister, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, to comply with the Office of the Ombudsman’s preventive suspension order against her.

This, even as he expressed continued support for her re-election bid and praised her leadership.

In his recent statement, the congressman offered what he described as “unsolicited advice” to the governor, who on April 30 declared she would not vacate her post despite the Ombudsman’s six-month suspension order over a complaint related to quarrying activities in the protected Mananga River.

“My hope, and my unsolicited advice, is that she comply with the Ombudsman’s order, reserving all legal arguments and remedies for future pleadings and actions in the courts,” PJ Garcia said.

The governor, who is running for a third and final term in the May 12 midterm elections, was preventively suspended over allegations she granted a special permit to a private contractor for quarrying and desilting operations in the Mananga River, part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape, without clearance from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Governor Garcia has admitted authorizing the activity, but said it was done to address a worsening water shortage brought about by El Niño.

She denied any wrongdoing and argued that the order's timing, issued during the campaign period, is “politically motivated.”

The governor said she would remain in office pending guidance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which she said her legal team was consulting for clarification on the suspension's implementation.

“Pending resolution of my query, I have decided to stay put in office and continue to serve as the governor of this great province of ours,” she said during a press conference, adding that she would act “within the bounds of law.”

Despite his legal advice, PJ Garcia reaffirmed his unwavering political support for his sister and praised her contributions to Cebu.

“My sister, Gwen, and I have not always agreed on everything. In fact, we've had, and we continue to have, our differences. But no one — and certainly not I — can doubt that she has done a lot for Cebu. And no one can deny the extraordinary work and service she has done for our province,” he said.

“She continues to have my unwavering support as a candidate for Governor of the Province of Cebu,” he added.

Describing the controversy as “just another storm” in the governor’s political career, PJ Garcia said he believes she will emerge stronger.

“Like all the other storms in her remarkable life, this is something I am confident she will weather, and one from which, I am convinced, she will emerge victorious,” he said.

He also suggested that the time afforded by the Ombudsman’s suspension order could be used to strengthen her campaign.

“I wish that she will use this time that the Ombudsman’s order affords her to do what she does best: to circle this whole province, reach out to all Cebuanos, press the flesh and win hearts and minds for herself and for our beloved party, One Cebu,” PJ Garcia said.

The Office of the Ombudsman, led by Samuel Martires, earlier clarified that the suspension was based on administrative and criminal complaints, and not politically motivated.

Martires said Garcia “owes the Ombudsman an apology” for suggesting otherwise.

The governor, meanwhile, continues to question the timing and legality of the order. Her legal team is expected to mount a formal challenge in court.(TGP)