Ombudsman fines Gwen Garcia P30,000 for indirect contempt

The Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a fine of P30,000 on outgoing Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia after finding her guilty of indirect contempt.

In a copy of the order posted by GMA Integrated News' Joseph Morong, the Ombudsman said Garcia refused to step down as governor despite a preventive suspension order issued by the office on April 23 and received by Garcia on April 29.

BREAKING: Ombudsman rules outgoing Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia guilty of indirect for defying Ombudsman suspension order; fines P30,000 @gmanews @24orasgma pic.twitter.com/UGbFqGGxCD

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) June 13, 2025

"Despite implementation thereof and its immediately executory nature, you have willfully and openly refused to step down from your position as Governor," it read.

The Ombudsman's suspension stemmed from allegations that Garcia granted a special permit to Shalom Construction, Inc. on May 14, 2024 without an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or a Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or prior study/consultation with other relevant government agencies.

In a message to GMA News Online, Garcia stressed that a temporary restraining order (TRO) has been issued against preventive suspension order by the Court of Appeals. 

"In fact, several media outlets reported that the Office of the Ombudsman has filed a Motion to Quash on the said CA order. This, in effect, acknowledges the existence of the TRO," Garcia said.

She added, "By citing me for indirect contempt, is Ombudsman Martires insisting now that he does not respect the Temporary Restraining Order issued by the Court of Appeals?"

Garcia previously said her legal team would challenge the suspension.

She had also said the issuance of a special permit to Shalom Construction, Inc. was approved by the Provincial Board, which earlier declared the entire Province of Cebu under a state of calamity due to acute water shortage.

Garcia lost in the recent gubernatorial race to her closest poll rival Pam Baricuatro. 

She has filed an election protest with the Commission on Elections (Comelec). — with a report from Jamil Santos/ VDV, GMA Integrated News