By PR | 09:48 AM May 31, 2024
Despite the six-month suspension imposed on him and 68 others for six months since Tuesday, May 28, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado gave the assurance that the Capitol would continue its normal operations.
Aumentado issued the statement after receiving the suspension order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman to him and 68 other regional and local officials over the Chocolate Hills resort controversy in March this year.
“Magpadayon ang akong suporta (sa) mga kauban ug magpasalamat ko sa mga trabahador sa Kapitolyo ug (mga) katawhan sa kanunay nga gihatag nga suporta kanako,” Aumentado said in an interview.
Amid the investigation, the governor urged respect and compliance for the order of the Ombudsman even as he vowed to review the complaint and meet with other suspended officials to seek legal remedies.
“Dili pod ko maulaw ani, kong unsa ning among giatubang nga hagit karon tungod kay dili ni tungod sa usa ka butang nga korupsyon kun dili mga butang nga nahitabo, o negligence sa ubang tawo nga nadamay lang ‘ta (sa) isip usa ka gobernadora,” he added.
Aumentado noted that he merely inherited the controversy.
“Kining problemaha, diha na ni (sauna), so collateral damage ra ta aning nahitabo,” he emphasized.
At the same time, Aumentado asked his colleagues in the Capitol to maintain their integrity at work, highlighting their shared duty and commitment to serve the people.
“Hinaot ko nga ang atong mga kaigsoonan, labi na ang mga kauban ug trabahador sa Kapitolyo, nga magpabilin ang ilang (pagka)-madasigon sa trabaho and remember nga ipabilin gyud ang limyo nga (pag)panerbisyo sa katawhan.”
The governor reiterated his commitment to public service.
“We will face this and nasayod ang Ginoo nga unsay naa sa akong kasingkasing, the way sa atong paghatag og serbisyo- ang atong limpyo nga pag-panerbisyo.”
With Aumentado’s suspension, Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite will serve as acting governor, while Senior Board Member Tita Baja will be acting vice governor.
The suspension covered previous and present provincial officials, mayors whose jurisdiction includes the Chocolate Hills, barangay captains, and regional directors of various government agencies.
Declared as a protected area in 1997 by then President, Fidel Ramos, the Chocolate Hills natural monument is considered one of the World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
It is also one of the 17 geosites in the UNESCO Global Geopark Island province, the first and only geopark in the Philippines which was declared in 2023. (PiMO/JSS)
