Barbers turns tables on Pichay, will file ethics countercharges

SURIGAO CITY—Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers on Wednesday said he was preparing his own charges of unethical behavior against his political foe, Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay.

Barbers said Pichay displayed  “abuse of authority” when he demanded special permits for his suspended mining company from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) during a budget hearing last September.

Earlier, Pichay accused Barbers of ethical breaches when the Surigao del Norte lawmaker called him “stupid” and instigated a near-fistfight with him during a hearing of the House committee on constitutional amendments on Oct. 12.

Turning the tables on his foe,  Barbers said it was Pichay who should explain his actions during recent budget deliberations, when the Surigao del Sur lawmaker “ambushed” officials of the DENR to demand sales permits for his suspended mining firm.

Engineer Daniel Bilderol of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) earlier told the Inquirer that Pichay had requested the extension of ore sales permits for Claver Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC), which were granted under the Aquino administration but halted when President Duterte assumed office in July.

Pichay’s request was reportedly made—and granted verbally—in the presence of DENR officials led by Sec. Gina Lopez and Undersecretary Leo Jasareno at the sidelines of the hearing for the proposed 2017 DENR budget at the House of Representatives on Sept. 5.

“He (Pichay) should be investigated for having the gall to demand ore transport and export permits for his company when DENR officials faced the budget committee where he was a sitting member,” Barbers said.

“Isn’t that abuse of authority? Isn’t that conflict of interest?” the lawmaker told Inquirer.

Barbers questioned the granting of sales permits for CMDC, which has been suspended since 2012 for environmental violations. Allowing violators like CMDC to continue to make profits while under suspension would send a wrong message, he said.

“(Pichay) accuses me of disorderly behavior and unparliamentary conduct, but look who’s talking,” Barbers said.

Barbers said  the House should also look into reports  the National Bureau of Investigation  recommended  the filing of illegal mining charges against Pichay after a Hong Kong-based ship was caught in waters off Claver town, Surigao del Norte loading ore from the suspended CMCD mine .

Pichay has not reponded to requests for comments on these charges.—CHRISTINE O. AVENDAÑO