Bohol governor challenges suspension over Chocolate Hills chaos

TAGBILARAN CITY – Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to reconsider its decision to suspend him for six months pending the completion of its investigation into the construction of a resort in the Chocolate Hills, a wildlife sanctuary and the province’s biggest tourism attraction.

Aumentado filed a motion for retrial through his lawyers on June 10, requesting the lifting of the precautionary suspension imposed on him and urging the anti-corruption agency to conduct a fair and thorough investigation.

READ: Ombudsman suspends Bohol governor and 68 others over Chocolate Hills fiasco

“This motion aims to protect my rights and ensure that due process principles are followed. The people of Bohol deserve a government that is transparent and fair. I am fully committed to protecting the Chocolate Hills as they are truly a natural wonder,” Aumentado said in a statement.

He said he had nothing to do with the approval of the permits obtained by Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort in Sagbayan town since the development of the resort began in 2018 when he was still a representative for Bohol’s second congressional district.

He also pointed out that he was neither invited nor attended the meeting of the Protected Area Management Board on July 14, 2022, at which the resolution approving the development of Captain’s Peak was passed.

“It is not fair to hold me accountable for decisions made without my knowledge or involvement,” he said.

“There is no document or law that links me to the approval or support of the construction, operation and expansion of the resort. My conscience is clear. I have nothing whatsoever to do with this fiasco.” Aumentado was one of 69 government officials given a six-month preventive suspension by the Ombudsman’s Office on May 20.

The Ombudsman stated that Captain’s Peak was constructed, operated and developed without the required environmental impact assessment, environmental impact certificate and special use agreement for protected areas from the Environmental Management Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The resort had been granted mayoral, business, building and site permits for the period 2020-2024, despite repeated failures to obtain relevant approvals and clearances from the DENR. —LEO UDTOHAN