MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for due process and adherence to the rule of law as he addressed the preventive suspension issued against Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Cebu governor Gwen Garcia preventively suspended

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier slapped a six-month suspension against the re-electionist Cebu governor for allowing the issuance of a permit to a construction company despite the absence of an environmental compliance certificate. 

The Cebu official however had refused to step down as she questioned the timing of the suspension order, which was a mere two weeks before the midterm polls.

 “I have been made aware of the preventive suspension issued against Governor Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu. Let me be clear: in a time like this—so close to the elections—it is vital that we uphold the rule of law and observe due process. Any action that affects the mandate of a duly elected official must go through the proper channels and in accordance with the Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code,” Marcos Jr. said in a statement.

“Governor Garcia has served Cebu with strength and consistency. Until all legal questions surrounding this suspension are resolved, she deserves to be treated fairly and with the respect owed to her office,” he continued.

“Let us not allow politics to get in the way of public service. We must always be guided by the law, by prudence, and by what is best for the Filipino people.”

Garcia, who chairs the One Cebu party, had earlier endorsed the candidacy of at least 8 senatorial bets from the administration coalition slate.

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