MANILA, Philippines - Cebu Gov Gwendolyn Garcia "just wants to get the sympathy of the voters" as she continues to defy the suspension order issued by the Office of the President 3 days ago, the ruling Liberal Party (LP) said Friday, December 21.

"She wants to get the sympathy of the voters. I would call on Governor Gwen to respect the decision of the executive...She is allowed to seek legal remedies, but they should follow the President’s order," Eastern Samar Rep Ben Evardone said. Evardone said he was authorized by the party to speak on the Garcia case.

Garcia is running for third district representative in the province of Cebu in the 2013 midterm elections.

Western Samar Rep Mel Senen Sarmiento, secretary general of the LP, said Garcia is setting a bad precedent for local government officials. "It is a bad precedent because it would appear that anybody can just defy the President," he said.

"They are making a local issue a national issue, which should not be the case...This should be about the rule of law," Sarmiento added. - Rappler.com