2 Pangasinan execs axed over black sand mining

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Two officials of the provincial government of Pangasinan were relieved from their posts in connection with illegal magnetite mining operations in this coastal town.

The Office of the Ombudsman found provincial administrator Rafael Baraan and Alvin Bigay, head of the Provincial Housing Urban Development Council Office, guilty of grave misconduct.

The ombudsman also ordered the cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service of the two officials. 

In a memorandum signed by Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero on Nov. 28, DILG-Region 1 officer-in-charge Julie Daquioag was ordered to implement the order of the ombudsman. 

The case stemmed from a complaint filed against Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino, Baraan, Bigay and 11 other government officials and private individuals on Jan. 16, 2012. 

The case against Espino was dismissed on account of the doctrine of condonation with his re-election in 2013.  

In a statement, Espino lamented the dismissal of Baraan and Bigay.

“It is very unfortunate that the provincial government has to suffer actions we believe, are prudent and highly necessary that we have done to accelerate economic development for the benefit of the constituents,” he said.