CEBU CITY – Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado is back to work as the Office of the Ombudsman has lifted the six-month preventive suspension imposed against him and 30 other government officials.
In a July 31 order, Ombudsman Samuel Martires ordered the reinstatement of Aumentado, who was among the 70 current and former government officials who were suspended last May 20 for the construction of a resort within Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan town, Bohol.
The order lifting the suspension was sent to Secretary Arsenio Balicasan of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
“It was the regional director of NEDA Central Visayas who informed me about the Ombudsman order. I have yet to personally receive a copy of the order but the NEDA Secretary told the regional director to tell me that “we’re happy to work with him again,’” said Aumentado, chairman of the Regional Development Council-Central Visayas.
The governor said his lawyers in Manila have received a copy of the order.
However, Sagbayan Mayor Ricardo Suarez and Carmen Mayor Conchita Toribio-delos Reyes remained suspended.
“We responded to the suspension differently. Those who were reinstated filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) while those who are still suspended filed a Temporary Restraining Order,” said Aumentado.
In his MR, Aumentado told the Ombudsman that he did not approve or extend assistance to the construction, operation, and expansion of Captain’s Peak Resort.
Aumentado said that he was unaware of the resort’s development until it was reported by the media.
Proving his lack of intent to violate the law, Aumentado said he immediately ordered the conduct of an investigation after the resort’s operations were publicized.
The governor added that the evidence of guilt was not strong as there was no evidence or actions showing his approval of the resort’s development.
The Ombudsman order stated that Aumentado should be reinstated by July 31 but the governor said he would have to wait for guidance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government for his official return to office.
The governor said he will immediately meet with the department heads once he officially returns to the Capitol in Tagbilaran City.
“I have to sit down with the department heads to review what has happened, what are the ongoing projects and those that have been implemented so that I will be guided since I was away for more than two months,” Aumentado said.
Aumentado said he is excited to return to office and thanked the people of Bohol for supporting him since the first day of his suspension.
“Thank you to the Boholanos for the support, prayers and for sympathizing with me during those trying times. Rest assured, the Aumentado administration will continue with its clean and genuine governance,” he said.