MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced Friday that it will not act on Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia’s suspension unless it receives official clearance from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), in accordance with election rules.
At a Quezon City press briefing, DILG Undersecretary Rolando Puno explained that the agency has already submitted a query to Comelec, following the commission’s standing order that any suspension of elected officials during the campaign period requires prior approval.
“We are not sitting on this matter,” Puno said. “We’re following Comelec’s directive, and we need their go-ahead before implementing the suspension.”
Governor Garcia was handed a six-month suspension without pay by the Office of the Ombudsman on April 28, 2025. The case stems from allegations of grave abuse of authority after she allegedly issued a construction permit without legal basis.
Garcia, however, insists the permit was a response to a critical water shortage in the province. She has vowed to appeal the suspension, saying her legal team is taking the necessary steps through proper channels.
“I have full faith that truth and justice will prevail,” the governor said in a statement.