Ombudsman suspends 69 officials allegedly involved in controversial Chocolate Hills resort


The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the six-month preventive suspension of 69 officials from the provincial and municipal governments of Bohol, including its Governor Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, due to their involvement in the controversial resort found in Chocolate Hills this year.

Other officials suspended came from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Office of Civil Defense, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine National Police (PNP), as well as several barangay officials.

The order, dated May 22, ordered the suspension of these officials:

1. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado - Governor

2. Restituto Q. Suarez III - Municipality of Sagbayan Mayor

3. Atty. Antonino M. Jumawid - Municipality of Batuan Mayor

4. Elizabeth M. Pace - Municipality of Catigbian Mayor

5. Eugeniano E. Ibarra - Municipality of Clarin Mayor

6. Norman Palacio - Municipality of Bilar Mayor

7. Manuel G. Jayectin - Municipality of Bilar Mayor

8. Simplicio C. Maestrado, Jr. - Municipality of Sierra Bullones Mayor

9. Michael Doria - Municipality of Valencia Mayor

10. Maria Katrina Lim - Municipality of Valencia Mayor

11. Calixto Garcia - Municipality of Valencia Mayor

12. Dionisio Neil Balite - Municipality of Valencia Mayor

13. Ranulfo Q. Maligmat - Municipality of Bilar Vice Mayor

14. Conchita T. Delos Reyes - Municipality of Carmen Mayor

15. Ricardo Francisco A. Toribio - Municipality of Carmen Mayor

16. Ma. Victoria V. Aberra - Regional Director, DENR - EMB

17. Eugene G. Cabrera - Regional Director, Civil Defense, Region 7

18. Joel A. Elumba - Regional Director, Department of Agriculture, Region 7

19. Marlou L. Salazar - Regional Director, Office of the Civil Defense, Region 7

20. Edilberto L. Paradela - Regional Director, Department of Science and Technology

21. P/BGen. Valeriano T. De Leon - Regional Director, Philippine National Police, Region 7

22. Jesus F. Zamora, Jr. - Regional Director, Department of Science and Technology

23. Angel C. Enriquez - Regional Executive Director, Department of Agriculture, Region 7

24. Paquito D. Melicor, Jr. - DENR Regional Executive Director/Chairman, PAMB

25. Salvador D. Diputado - Regional Executive Director, Department of Agriculture, Region 7

26. Alan R. Dinoy - Building Official, Municipality of Sagbayan

27. Maximo G. Lomosbog - Zoning Administrator, Municipality of Sagbayan

28. Lorna L. Fernandez - PAMB Secretariat/Assistant Protected Area Superintendent

29. Laurentino A. Bautista - Officer-in-Charge, DENR CENRO/Protected Area Superintendent

30. Ariel N. Rica - Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer

31. Atty. John Titus J. Vistal - Provincial Planning and Development Office

32. Perfecto Bambe - Tourism Officer, Municipality of Bihar

33. Quern C. Aparicio - Barangay Captain, La Victoria, Carmen

34. Gregorio Digamon - Barangay Captain, Nueva Vida, Carmen

35. Eulogio L. Aparri - Barangay Captain, Canmaya Centro, Sagbayan

36. Erlinda A. Nacua - Barangay Captain, Katipunan, Sagbayan

37. Ricardo R. Basco - Barangay Captain, San Antonio, Sagbayan

38. Asuncion B. Ybanez - Barangay Captain, Poblacion, Sagbayan

39. Floriana J. Decierdo - Barangay Captain, Sabgayan Sur, Sagbayan

40. Erwin G. Capa - Barangay Captain, Kagawasan, Sagbayan

41. James P. Diolan - Barangay Captain, Behind the Clouds, Batuan

42. Ian A. Bernadez - Barangay Captain, Sta. Cruz, Batuan

43. Francisco A. Loy-A, Jr. - Barangay Captain, Cabcnitan, Batuan 

44. Dennis L. Remedio - Barangay Captain, Campagao, Bilar

45. Perfecto M. Buro - Barangay Captain, Villaflor, Carmen

46. Nilfa D. Pamat - Barangay Captain, Ubojan, Sagbayan

47. Enrico S. Celades - Barangay Captain, Canmaya Diot, Sagbayan

48. Isabelo S. Candole - Barangay Captain, Libertad Norte, Sagbayan

49. Liza B. Tandura - Barangay Captain, San Ramon, Sagbayan

50. Arnel D. Polinar - Barangay Captain, San Vicente Norte, Sabgayan

51. Victor B. Ramos - Barangay Captain, San Isidro, Sagbayan

52. Emmanuel L. Jumawid - Barangay Captain, Poblacion Vieja, Batuan

53. Maria Fe F. Jala - Barangay Captain, Janlud, Batuan

54. Flaviano C. Pacatang - Barangay Captain, Garcia, Batuan

55. Timoteo B. Quimpan - Barangay Captain, Bugang Sur, Bilar

56. Serapion Organiza - Barangay Captain, Cambigsi, Bilar

57. Adelo Mangayaay - Barangay Captain, Zamora, Bilar

58. Christopher Andales - Barangay Captain, Kabagsakan, Sagbayan

59. Rolando Pataca - Barangay Captain, Rizal, Batuan

60. Gerardo Salces - Barangay Captain, Cantigdas, Batuan

61. Crisologo Balag - Barangay Captain, Cansumbol, Bilar

62. Rosendo B. Bantugan, Jr. - Barangay Captain, Daghoy, Bilar

63. Rosalino Polinar, Jr. - Barangay Captain, Cabog, Clarin

64. Cecilia G. Tesio - Barangay Kagawad, Cabog, Clarin

65. Belito S. Gallogo - Barangay Kagawad, Montevideo, Carmen

66. Teresita Y. Pahamutang - Barangay Kagawad, Libertad Sur, Sagbayan

67. Tito O. Ancog - Barangay Kagawad, Barangay Bugang Norte, Bilar

68. Teresita C. Bayron - Barangay Kagawad, Barangay Roxas, Bilar

69. Gilbert C. Gonzales - Regional Director, DENR, Region 7, PAMB Chairman

Their six-month preventive suspension comes without pay, except when the delay in the disposition of the Ombudsman's case is "due to their fault, negligence, or petition, in which case the period of delay shall not be counted in computing the period of preventive suspension."

"In accordance with Section 27(1) of Republic Act 6770, this Order is immediately executory. Notwithstanding any motion, appeal, or petition that may be filed by respondents seeking relief from this Order, unless otherwise ordered by this Office or any court of competent jurisdiction, the implementation of this Order shall not be interrupted within the period prescribed," the Ombudsman order read.