Ombudsman asked to take action on ‘patently illegal’ water permit in Bohol town

MANILA, Philippines —The Philippines Guardians Brotherhood called on the Office of the Ombudsman to take action regarding the usurpation of public functions in the issuance of a water permit in the municipality of Balilihan, Bohol.

In the complaint made public Tuesday, the group said that the water permit was issued by individuals from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) who had no proper authority to do so.

“Nonetheless, upon further examination of the Order, it came to the Complainant herein that the individuals who signed the Order and who voted and discussed the same are not the ones officially designated by the law to be members of the NWRB,” the complaint said.

The complainants also added that the signing of the order was “patently illegal” as they acted as alleged representatives of the NWRB.

“Such official functions are sovereign acts given to specified persons and not to their representatives. Thus, the action of the respondents in acting as alleged representatives in the deliberation and signing of the said order is patently illegal,” it added.

As such, the officials were charged under article 177 of the Revised Penal Code.

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