Nueva Ecija governor denies corruption in quarry permits

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Gov. Aurelio Umali is insisting that he did not commit corruption in relation to the issuance of 205 quarrying permits in Nueva Ecija.

Umali said the “made-up criminal complaint” was dismissed and that the one-year suspension ruling of the Office of the Ombudsman is “administrative in nature in connection with the interpretation and implementation of the law” on the issuance of permits.

The ombudsman sanctioned Umali for allowing the quarries even without an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In a 29-page decision, the ombudsman found “substantial evidence” indicating that Umali is “guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service and simple misconduct.”

Bohol gov seeks reconsideration

Meanwhile, Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado is set to ask the ombudsman to reverse its ruling to criminally charge him and two other former governors for their alleged involvement in the illegal construction of Captain’s Peak resort within the Chocolate Hills protected area in Sagbayan town.

Aumentado said his lawyer has prepared a motion asking the anti-graft office to reconsider its decision to file charges for violations of Section 3(e) and 3(j) of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

He maintained that he did not violate any law and had in fact ordered an investigation into the Captain’s Peak resort when the issue erupted in 2023.

The resort was reportedly constructed without an ECC.

Aumentado is hopeful that the ombudsman will reconsider its ruling, noting that the administrative aspect of the charge only merited a reprimand.