SC dismisses petition to reverse dismissal of CamSur quarrying case

MANILA, Philippine – The Supreme Court has dismissed the petition to reverse the dismissal of the case against former San Fernando, Camarines Sur Mayor Fermin Mabulo for illegal quarrying.

In 2023, a complaint was filed against Mabulo, along with several barangay officials, for allegedly allowing quarrying activities without permits.

A year later, the Ombudsman dismissed the complaint. Its Joint Resolution dated June 7, 2024, and Joint Order dated December 11, 2024 stated that there was insufficient basis to hold Mabulo and the barangay officials administratively or criminally liable.

The Ombudsman’s ruling was elevated to the Supreme Court through a petition for certiorari.

The Supreme Court resolution made public on Wednesday denied the petition for certiorari filed by members of environmental watchdog group Task Force Sagip Kalikasan.

In dismissing the petition, the Supreme Court’s 2nd division said petitioners failed to show that the Ombudsman committed grave abuse of discretion.

“Considering the allegations, issues and arguments adduced in the petition for certiorari… the Court resolves to dismiss the petition for failure to sufficiently show that the questioned judgment is tainted with grave abuse of discretion,” the ruling stated.

The Supreme Court said certiorari applies only when a public body acts with grave abuse of discretion—actions that are arbitrary or outside the bounds of law—a standard the petitioners failed to meet. /gsg