Governor of Bohol and 68 other persons suspended as a precautionary measure

Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and 68 other officials were preventively suspended for six months because of the controversial resort construction in the Chocolate Hills.

Also read: DILG-led Bohol Task Force begins investigation into Chocolate Hills Resort

Aumentado announced his suspension on Tuesday afternoon, May 28, 2024.

He received the order from the ombudsman’s office on Tuesday morning.

The reason for the precautionary suspension was the construction of the Captain’s Peak Garden and Resort next to the town of Sagbayan, which has been declared a Global Geopark by UNESCO.

Aumentado said an investigation into the construction of the resort is currently ongoing in the Senate and Congress.

He said the provincial government of Bohol had also conducted its investigation.

Aumentado urged government employees to continue their work during his absence.

“Let us pray for a fair and appropriate resolution of this matter… I will come back,” Aumentado said in a mixture of Bisaya and English.

Chocolate Hills is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a protected area under Proclamation 1037, series of 1997, and Republic Act 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992. (JJL)