Ombudsman Suspends Nueva Ecija Governor
The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a one-year suspension without pay for Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali due to the illegal issuance of quarry permits. This suspension highlights the serious consequences of bypassing environmental regulations in the province.
Authorities found that Governor Umali authorized 205 quarrying permits without securing the mandatory Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This violation triggered the disciplinary action against him.
Details of the Suspension Order
In a comprehensive 29-page ruling, the Ombudsman cited substantial evidence proving that Umali committed conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and simple misconduct. Based on these findings, the suspension was imposed under the Ombudsman Act of 1989 and related administrative rules.
Officials reported that this decision stems from multiple complaints consolidated into one case. These complaints also involved other officials, but only Governor Umali was suspended.
Complaints Against Other Officials Dismissed
Complaints filed against Umali’s wife, former Nueva Ecija Governor Czarina Umali, former Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Wilfredo Pangilinan, and several former DENR Region 3 Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) directors were dismissed. The anti-graft body found insufficient evidence to hold them liable.
Background of the Quarry Permit Controversy
In March 2024, a complainant accused the Umalis and Pangilinan of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and prejudicial conduct. The Ombudsman’s findings leaned heavily on a 2018 House committee report that uncovered the unlawful granting of commercial sand and gravel permits (CSGPs).
According to the report, the Umalis issued about 205 CSGPs to unqualified applicants without the required ECC from the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau. Instead, they accepted only local environmental clearance certificates (LECCs), which do not meet national standards.
Violation of Mining Laws and Regulations
The permits issued between January 2014 and June 2016 were approved by Governor Aurelio Umali, while those from July 2016 to September 2018 were authorized by his wife, Czarina. Both allegedly bypassed the ECC requirement, undermining environmental safeguards.
The Ombudsman emphasized that granting CSGPs without proper documentation violates Republic Act 7942 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995), its implementing rules and regulations, and Presidential Decree 1856.
Conspiracy and Oversight Failures
Investigations revealed that Wilfredo Pangilinan conspired with the Umalis by endorsing quarry permits based solely on LECCs. Furthermore, former MGB Region 3 Directors Danilo Uykieng, Lope Cariño Jr., Samuel Paragas, and Alilo Ensomo Jr. neglected their duties.
These directors failed to establish the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board to properly review and evaluate quarry permits. They also neglected to intervene against the illegal permit issuances by the provincial government led by the Umalis and Pangilinan.
Impact and Next Steps
This suspension serves as a stern warning against circumventing environmental laws. Community members expressed hope that this decision will promote stricter adherence to mining regulations and protect the province’s natural resources.
For more news and updates on illegal quarry permits, visit Filipinokami.com.
