Nueva Ecija governor suspended for 1 year

For issuing 205 quarry permits

MANILA, Philippines — Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali has been suspended for one year over administrative offenses involving the issuance of 205 quarry permits without the required environmental compliance certificate (ECC).

In a 29-page decision dated June 19 but was released to journalists only yesterday, the Office of the Ombudsman found Umali guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and simple misconduct.

Meanwhile, the ombudsman dismissed the administrative complaint filed against Umali’s wife, former Nueva Ecija governor Czarina Umali, for lack of evidence.

Aside from Umali’s wife, the ombudsman also cleared provincial environment and natural resources officer Wilfredo Pangilinan as well as Lope Cariño, Alilo Ensomo Jr., Samuel Paragas and Danilo Uykieng of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Central Luzon.

The charges against Umali stemmed from a complaint filed by a certain Roberto Duldulao.

The ombudsman cited a report of the House committee on good government and public accountability, which conducted hearings on quarry operations in Nueva Ecija.

Based on the findings of the House committee, the provincial government issued 205 permits for sand and gravel extraction without the required ECC from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The ombudsman said that instead of the ECC, Umali merely required the applicants to submit a local environmental clearance certificate in securing a quarry permit.

State prosecutors said that Umali’s action was contrary to Republic Act 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act, which strictly requires an ECC for any mining-related operation including quarrying.

While Umali’s issuance of quarry permits was not motivated by financial or illegal considerations, the ombudsman said the governor’s act “still constitutes offenses of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and simple misconduct.”

“There is a basis to hold Aurelio Umali administratively liable. He was remiss in his duty to ensure the enforcement and compliance with all laws, rules and regulations within his jurisdiction,” the ombudsman said.

The ruling was approved by Assistant Ombudsman Pilarita Lapitan.