Governor of Bohol Appeals Suspension Over Chocolate Hills Resort Issue
BOHOL GOVERNOR – In relation to the development of a resort at the foot of Chocolate Hills, Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado filed a motion for reconsideration of the Office of the Ombudsman’s six-month preventive suspension ruling against him.
Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado has submitted a motion for reconsideration regarding the six-month preventive suspension ordered against him by the Office of the Ombudsman. This decision relates to allegations concerning the construction of a resort near the Chocolate Hills.
Aumentado has expressed disappointment with the suspension, asserting that the accusations leveled against him lack merit.
In a statement, Aumentado conveyed his genuine surprise at the preventive suspension order, firmly refuting any involvement in the approval process for the construction, operation, and expansion of Captain’s Peak Resort. Alongside 68 other local officials, he faces charges of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the service concerning the resort’s development in Canmano, Sagbayan.
“I am genuinely surprised by this preventive suspension order, ” he said in a statement.
“I categorically deny any involvement in the approval of the construction, operation and expansion of Captain’s Peak Resort.”
According to the report, Aumentado highlighted his tenure as congressman of Bohol’s second district in 2018, emphasizing that he was not present at the Protected Area Management Board meeting when the resort’s development was sanctioned. He deems it unjust to hold him accountable for decisions made without his knowledge or participation, asserting his clear conscience regarding the matter.
“It is not fair to hold me accountable for decisions made without my knowledge or participation,” Aumentado said.
“My conscience is clear. I have no hand in that fiasco, whatsoever.”
Moreover, the resort lacks both an environmental compliance certificate and a Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau. The Office of the Ombudsman’s field investigation office has alleged that the implicated public officials displayed partiality, bad faith, negligence, and gross violations of relevant environmental laws, including the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act and its expanded version, the NIPAS Act.
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