No action yet on Cebu Gov. Garcia until Comelec orders– DILG

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said it is awaiting orders from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before it can act on Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia's suspension case.

In a press briefing at Quezon City on Friday, DILG Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications Rolando Puno said they needed the approval of the Comelec to implement the suspension of elected officials during the 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,” he said.

“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,” he shared.

Garcia received a six-month suspension with no pay order from the ombudsman over allegations of grave abuse of authority after she allegedly issued a special permit to a construction company without a lawful basis.

The order was served on April 28, 2025.

The governor said that she would file an appeal on the suspension, stressing that she issued the special permit to address a critical 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,” she added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News