CEBU CITY — Bohol Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado and 30 other government officials have been reinstated to their posts after the Office of the Ombudsman lifted their six-month suspension pertaining to the controversial construction of a resort at the Chocolate Hills protected area.
In a Facebook interview with a local radio station on Friday, Aumentado revealed his reinstatement and confirmed he would resume his duties as governor of Bohol on August 5.
Although he has yet to receive the hard copy of the Ombudsman's order, his lawyers in Manila notified him of the decision. He said he has already obtained a digital copy of the resolution, signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on July 31.
The governor was slapped a six-month suspension in May 2024 for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. The suspension also affected other local officials, including mayors, vice mayor, barangay officials, police officers and various government agency representatives.
Also returning to their government posts are James Diolan, Ian Bernadez, Emmanuel Jumawid, Maria Fe Jala, Flaviano Pacatang, Rolando Pataca, Gerardo Salces, Eugene Cabrera, Ricardo Francisco Toribio, Ma. Victoria Abrera, Marlou Salazar, Jesus Zamora Jr., Cecilia Tesio, Nelito Gallogo, Querino Aparicio, Gregorio Digamon, Perfecto Buro, Antonino Jumawid, Elizabeth Pace, Eugeniano Ibarra, Dionisio Neil Balite, Michael Doria, Simplicio Maestrado Jr., Norman Palacio, Ranulfo Maligmat, Angel Enriquez, John Titus Vistal, Edilberto Paradela, Paquito Melicor Jr. and Gilbert Gonzales.
Sagbayan Mayor Ricardo Suarez and Carmen Mayor Ricardo Francisco Toribio were not included in the reinstatement, the governor said.
Aumentado speculated that they may not have filed a motion for reconsideration before the Ombudsman.
Upon his return to office, Aumentado intends to meet with provincial department heads to review and catch up on ongoing and completed projects. He plans to assess the projects that have been implemented during his two-month absence.
The suspension was linked to the establishment of Captain's Peak Garden and Resort, located inside the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco)-declared geological monument in the town of Sagbayan.
The Chocolate Hills, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is protected under Proclamation 1037, Series of 1997, and Republic Act 7586, also known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 1992.
A public outcry erupted after a video by a Davao-based vlogger showing the controversial resort went viral on March 12.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a temporary closure order for the resort on Sept. 6, 2023 and a Notice of Violation on January 22 to the resort owner for operating without an environmental compliance certificate.
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