CA reverses Palawan court on mine firm
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 08:21:00 05/12/2008
MANILA, Philippines--The court of appeals has reversed a lower court order stopping mining firm Oriental Peninsula Resources Group from conducting mining operations in southwestern Palawan.
The CA issued a mandatory injunction barring the Palawan Regional Trial Court, the Provincial Mining and Regulatory Board (PMRB) of Palawan, and other individuals from implementing the RTC ruling dated Jan. 7, 2008.
In its order, the CA said the Palawan Regional Trial Court acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction when it issued a preliminary injunction against Oriental Peninsula.
The injunction was in response to a complaint filed by a certain Mark Benedicto Concepcion who accused the mining firm of engaging in quarrying operations without the necessary permit from the PMRB.
The preliminary injunction called for Oriental Peninsula to stop transporting mineral products from its mining areas in the municipality of Punang, Sofronio Espanola, province of Palawan and to build roads in the area.
The CA also said only the head of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources can cancel or approve the cancellation of mineral agreements. Redempto Anda, Inquirer Southern Luzon
|
