Marcos urges due process, Garcia defies Ombudsman's order

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. stated that Cebu Governor Gwendolyn 'Gwen' Garcia should receive due process after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered her six-month preventive suspension.

Marcos emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and observing due process, especially as the suspension was issued close to the May 12 elections.

Malacañang reiterated that Marcos would not intervene in Garcia's preventive suspension, reiterating his commitment to the rule of law and stressing that abuse will not be tolerated.

Garcia defied the Ombudsman's order, questioning its legality during the election period and its timing just days before the polls.

The preventive suspension was based on a complaint alleging grave abuse of authority over the issuance of a quarry permit to Shalom Construction Inc. without an environmental compliance certificate in 2024.

Marcos urged that politics should not interfere with public service, calling for adherence to the law and what is best for the Filipino people.

Garcia said she will comply with the suspension order but will contest it through proper channels, following her meeting with Marcos on April 23.