Mayor charged for cutting coco trees without permit

Mayor Genevive Lim-Reyes of Caluya, Antique, has been charged in the Sandiganbayan for ordering the clearing of 245 coconut trees without complying with legal processes and securing the Philippine Coconut Authority’s permit in 2014.

Reyes faces one count each of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Section 5 of the Coconut Preservation Act of 1995.

Ombudsman prosecutors accused her of failing to consult the occupants of the 5-hectare farmland owned by a certain Juliet Ramos in Barangay Tinogboc.

A bail of P42,000 was recommended for Reyes’ bail. —Vince F. Nonato