Former Cebu provincial consultant Byron Garcia has publicly criticized a prosecutor at the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office for filing cases against him in court without giving him an opportunity to respond to the complaints. In a Facebook post on Monday, June 22, 2026, Garcia claimed this was the third time he had not received a subpoena regarding complaints filed against him.
Garcia Questions Court Proceedings
“Nganu naa naman put INFORMATION na raffle sa RTC Branch 83 sa Mandaue karun adlawa. Warrant of arrest nalang pud ako madawat ani run,” Garcia said in his Facebook post, which translates to: “Why is there already an information scheduled for raffle at RTC Branch 83 in Mandaue today? At this rate, the next thing I may receive is a warrant of arrest.” Over the weekend, Garcia also posted a similar question directed at a Mandaue City prosecutor, whom he alleged had deprived him of his right to due process. However, Garcia did not identify the prosecutor in either post.
Arrest and Charges
Garcia was arrested on June 11, 2026, after a warrant was issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in Mandaue City. He faces three counts of alleged gender-based online sexual harassment under Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act. The complaints were filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, daughter of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro. Authorities served the warrant at the Talisay City Fish Port, where Garcia was taken into custody.
Bail and Evidence
The court set bail at P108,000 for Garcia’s temporary release. Prosecutors found probable cause based on electronic evidence, including social media posts and digital records allegedly containing misogynistic and body-shaming remarks directed at Catalan. Garcia has denied the allegations and is expected to undergo arraignment and pretrial proceedings before a Mandaue City court.
