Ombudsman orders gov to answer mining charge

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to answer charges that he allowed illegal black sand mining in his province.

In an order, the Office of the Ombudsman’s Preliminary Investigation, Administrative Adjudication and Review Bureau said Espino must file a counteraffidavit in 10 days.

It said it found the administrative case for neglect of duty, abuse of authority and violation of the local government code sufficient in form and substance. The order also said no motion to dismiss would be allowed except for lack of jurisdiction.

The complainants in the administrative case were barangay officials led by Vicente Oliquino.

Last month, the barangay officials also filed a complaint asking the Office of the Ombudsman to hold provincial officials, barangay captains and officers of Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures and Xypher Builders Inc. liable for violating the antigraft law and mining laws for allegedly conspiring to extract black sand in Lingayen, Pangasinan, illegally.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued a cease-and-desist order for Xypher to stop black sand extraction in coastal villages in Lingayen.

But a Pangasinan official, provincial administrator Rafael Baraan, said black sand extraction was incidental to a plan to build a golf course. It didn’t, however, had an environmental compliance certificate and provincial board approval.