Suspension Lifted: Ombudsman reinstates 32 Bohol execs

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman has lifted the six-month preventive suspension order it earlier issued against several mayors and barangay officials in Bohol in connection with the construction of Captain's Peak Garden and Resort at the foot of Chocolate Hills.

In a 25-page consolidated order signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on September 30, the anti-graft body lifted the preventive suspension against the 32 local officials in Bohol.

“Wherefore, in the interest of justice and fair play and consonant to this Office's previous Consolidated Order dated 31 July 2024, the preventive suspension of the following respondents is hereby lifted,” a portion of the order reads.

The Ombudsman's reason for the early lifting of the suspension order against the local officials was not immediately known to the media. An official of the ombudsman's Public Information and Media Relations Bureau (PIMRB) said the entire copy of the consolidated order “cannot be released as it contains issues pertaining to other respondents.”

Last May 22, the ombudsman ordered the preventive suspension of Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado and 68 other local officials in Bohol as it investigates an administrative case against them in connection with the construction of Captain's Peak Garden and Resort.

In a consolidated order issued on July 31, however, the ombudsman ordered the lifting of the suspension of Aumentado and 30 other local officials.

Aside from Aumentado, among those earlier ordered reinstated were Mayors Antonino Jumawid of Batuan, Elizabeth Pace of Catigbian, Eugeniano Ibarra of Clarin, Dionisio Neil Balite of Valencia, Michael Doria of Sierra-Bullones and Norman Palacio of Bilar.

Also earlier reinstated under the July 31 order were Vice Mayors Simplicio Maestrado Jr., James Diolan, Ian Bernadez, Emmanuel Jumawid, Maria Jala, Flaviano Pacatang, Rolando Pataca, Gerardo Salces, Eugene Cabrera, and Ricardo Francisco Toribio.

Meanwhile, latest order the anti-graft office reinstated Mayors Restituto Suarez III of Sagbayan, Manuel Jayectin of Bilar and Conchita Delos Reyes of Carmen. Also lifted were the preventive suspension of Department of Agriculture (DA) Region 7 regional director Joel Elumba, Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 7 regional director Police Brigadier General Valeriano De Leon, Bilar Tourism officer Perfecto Bambe and more than 20 barangay officials.

The Ombudsman had earlier explained that the preventive suspension of the local officials of Bohol was aimed at preventing any possibility of them intimidating possible witnesses or tampering with potential evidence in connection with the ongoing investigation.

The Ombudsman, in its order issued last May 22, said the preventive suspension shall not exceed six months through it may be lifted anytime the administrative investigation is finished or terminated.

The Ombudsman, however, has yet to give an update or issue any resolution regarding its administrative investigation.

The administrative investigation stemmed from the controversial construction of the Captain's Peak Garden and Resort. The structure is a swimming resort built at the foot of Chocolate Hills despite it being a protected area. The Chocolate Hills Natural Monument in Bohol is a legislated protected area.

Bohol Island is also a UNESCO Global Geopark, the only tourism area in the country to secure the coveted title. — (FREEMAN)