By Helen Castaño | 02:19 PM May 29, 2024
The mayors league in the province of Bohol will hold a synchronized prayer rally for solidarity after Gov. Aris Aumentado and at least eight incumbent mayors were placed on a six-month preventive suspension by the Ombudsman.
President Carlos P. Garcia Mayor Fernando Estavilla, who is the president of the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) – Bohol chapter, said that the mayors will meet this Friday to discuss matters of activities to support Aumentado and their colleagues.
“Maghimo tag- synchronize prayer rally sa mga lungsod,” he said.
“Atong hangyuon ang mga mayor nga mo-participate kay atong ipaabot sa national ug sa katibuk-ang nasud nga ang taga- Bohol nagpakabana mi. Kung naa mi kasaypanan, andam mi mopakorek sa angay buhaton,” he added.
The suspended incumbent mayors were Restituto Suarez III (Sagbayan), Antonino Jumawid (Batuan), Elizabeth Pace (Catigbian), Eugeniano Ibarra (Clarin), Norman Palacio (Bilar), Michael Doria (Sierra Bullones), Dionisio Neil Balite (Valencia). and Conchita Toribio – Delos Reyes (Carmen).
Estavilla said he was saddened by the decision, calling it “severe.” But he said he respected the decision of the Ombudsman.
He said the LMP will provide legal assistance to the mayors who will file a motion for consideration.
There were 31 barangay chiefs and six village councilors who were also suspended.
Also included in the Ombudsman’s decision was Perfecto Bambe, Bilar town tourism official, who died in 2021.
The decision stemmed over recent cases filed against them over the construction of The Captain’s Peak Garde and Resort in Barangay Canmano in Sagbayan town, protected area.
According to the Ombudsman, respondents “acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, gross inexcusable negligence and committed gross violations of the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992 (NIPAS Act of 1992) and Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018 (E -NIPAS Act of 2018) when they remained adamant and continuously tolerated the operation and expansion of Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort despite its lack of environmental clearance permits and flagrant violations of the NIPAS and E-NIPAS Act.”
The resort was granted a business, building and locational permit by the mayor for the year 2020-2024 despite repeated failures in obtaining permits and clearances from the DENR.
The Chocolate Hills, composed of 1,700 hills, are protected National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 1992(NIPAS Act of 1992) and Expanded National Integrated Protected Area System Act of 2018 (E-NIPAS Act of 2018).
