Ombudsman upholds ruling vs ex-Cebu guv

Local

FORMER Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia's attempt to reverse an Ombudsman ruling over the Mananga River desilting project has failed.

The Office of the Ombudsman, in a resolution dated August 29, 2025, denied Garcia’s motion for reconsideration and upheld its earlier finding her guilty of simple misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by private citizen Moises Garcia Deiparine, who accused Garcia of granting a special permit for the desilting project in Talisay City without the required Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The Ombudsman’s first decision on July 16, 2025, imposed a one-year suspension without pay. Since Garcia’s term ended on June 30, 2025, the sanction was converted into a fine equal to six months of her salary, amounting to as much as P1.2 million.

She was acquitted of other charges, including grave abuse of authority and gross dishonesty.

In her appeal, Garcia argued that her actions were justified under the Doctrine of Necessity, citing Cebu’s severe water crisis and recommendations from agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and the DENR.

However, investigators ruled her motion insufficient, stressing that she failed to raise new evidence or legal errors.

“To be considered meritorious, the Motion must do more than merely reiterate arguments previously raised,” the Ombudsman resolution stated.

The three-page order, signed by Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officers May De Guzman, Corinne Joie Garillo-Arellano, and Ryan Silvestre, emphasized that Garcia’s defenses had already been weighed and rejected.

It also noted her implied admission that the ECC was never secured for the river project.

Garcia’s camp insisted that her appeal presented new issues, particularly the invocation of the Doctrine of Necessity.

Lawyer Benjamin Cabrido, in a statement , argued that the desilting was not a quarrying activity but an urgent measure to address the severe water shortage caused by the 2023–2024 El Niño.

The statement also stressed that the Ombudsman overlooked this context in its ruling.

Cabirdo said they are now preparing a petition before the Court of Appeals to challenge the suspension order and clear Garcia of liability.(MyTVCebu)