Governor of Bohol and 68 others suspended for 6 months

By: Morexette Marie B. Erram – 56 mins ago

Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado. | File photo

(UPDATED) CEBU CITY, Philippines – Bohol Governor Erico Aris Aumentado has been suspended for six months over the controversial Chocolate Hills resort.

Aumentado announced on Tuesday, May 28, that a total of 69 officials of the Bohol Capitol, including himself, mayors and even current and former officials, had received orders of preventive suspension from the Ombudsman.

The background to the decision are recent lawsuits against him and the province in connection with the construction of a controversial resort in the world-famous Chocolate Hills.

READ: Chocolate Hills Resort: Bohol Governor calls on DENR to take legal action as soon as possible

“When you consider that people in America have never spent so much money and therefore it no longer costs as much as they paid, that is a very important point,” Aumentado said.

READ: Bill sets rules for Chocolate Hills in Bohol

The governor’s announcement was also posted on his official Facebook page.

The suspension order against Aumentado came just weeks after the state anti-corruption agency imposed a similar punishment on Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

READ MORE: Is there politics behind Rama’s suspension order?

Note: This story has been updated to reflect more accurate details. Bohol Vice Governor Victor Balite was not mentioned by name in the suspension order.

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