Cebu: The Office of the Ombudsman has imposed a fine on outgoing Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for her non-compliance with a preventive suspension order issued in April. Garcia was ordered to pay PHP30,000 for indirect contempt following her refusal to vacate her position as governor.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Ombudsman's decision came as a result of Garcia's continued discharge of gubernatorial duties despite receiving the suspension order on April 29, which was supposed to be in effect until May 15. A temporary restraining order (TRO) was later issued by the Court of Appeals (CA), but the Ombudsman clarified that the TRO did not apply retroactively to negate her defiance of the initial suspension.

The Ombudsman's order emphasized that during the period from April 29 to May 14, 2025, Garcia lacked the legal authority to perform her duties as governor. This was due to the immediate and enforceable nature of the suspension order, which Garcia openly ignored.

Garcia's six-month preventive suspension was originally imposed due to allegations of grave abuse of authority, gross misconduct, serious dishonesty, gross negligence, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. These charges stemmed from her issuance of a special permit to a construction firm on May 14, 2024, without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or consulting with other relevant government agencies.