Byron Garcia, a former consultant of Cebu Province, has accused a prosecutor from the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office of filing cases against him in court without allowing him to respond to the complaints. In a Facebook post on Monday, June 22, 2026, Garcia stated that this is the third time he has not received a subpoena from the prosecutor's office regarding the complaints filed against him.
Garcia's Facebook Post Highlights Lack of Subpoena
“Why is there already an INFORMATION raffled in RTC Branch 83 in Mandaue today? I guess I will just receive a warrant of arrest next,” Garcia said in his Facebook post. Last week, Garcia posted a similar question on Facebook directed at a Mandaue City prosecutor, whom he accused of depriving him of due process. However, Garcia did not name the prosecutor in either of his Facebook posts.
Arrest and Charges Under Safe Spaces Act
Garcia was arrested on June 11, 2026, after a warrant of arrest was issued by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities of Mandaue City. He faces three counts of gender-based online sexual harassment under Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act, stemming from complaints filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, daughter of Governor Pamela Baricuatro. Police served the warrant at the Talisay City Fish Port, where Garcia was apprehended.
Bail and Evidence Details
The court set bail at P108,000 for Garcia's temporary release while the case proceeds. Prosecutors found probable cause based on electronic evidence, including social media posts and digital records allegedly containing misogynistic and body-shaming statements directed at Catalan. Garcia denies the allegations and will face arraignment and pretrial proceedings in a Mandaue City court.
