Bohol guv files motion for reconsideration vs suspension order

Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado filed a motion for reconsideration challenging the six-month preventive suspension filed against by the Ombudsman over his alleged involvement in the controversial resort in the Chocolate Hills protected area in Bohol.

"I am genuinely surprised by this preventive suspension order. I categorically deny any involvement in the approval of the construction, operation, and expansion of Captain’s Peak Resort. These charges are baseless and lack any factual foundation," said Aumentado in his motion filed Tuesday.

Aumentado denied having a hand in the construction of a resort in Sagbayan town, saying it was established in 2018 when he was serving as a representative of the second district of the province in Congress. 

Aumentado said he was not invited to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) meeting that was held last July 2022, where the resolution endorsing the development of the resort was approved.

The Ombudsman has placed Aumentado and 68 other officials under preventive suspension for six months in connection with the investigation into structures at the Chocolate Hills, a protected area and geological park.

The officials were placed under "preventive suspension until the administrative adjudication of this case is terminated, but not to exceed six months without pay."

Earlier, resort development at the site of Chocolate Hills, regarded a tourism signature of Bohol, received a backlash.

A viral video of a resort in Sagbayan town situated between haycock hills, popularly referred to as Chocolate Hills, drew flak from netizens.

The governor, in his motion, wants the suspension order immediately lifted as he urges the anti-graft court for a “fair and thorough preliminary investigation”.

"This motion aims to protect my rights and ensure that the principles of due process are upheld,” he said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News