Pampanga Mayor Teddy C. Tumang and Two Others Charge of Illegal Quarrying

ACTING OMBUDSMAN Orlando Casimiro ordered the filing of graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Teddy C. Tumang and two others for allowing the conduct of illegal quarrying activities in a private property in 2005. Aside from Tumang, also ordered charged for violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) were Barangay Captain Rafael P. Yabut and one Pantaleon C. Martin.

The Acting Ombudsman found probable cause against the local officials for conducting quarry activities in the property belonging to Eduardo T. Batac. On June 2005, Batac personally saw the damage sustained by the property due to the illegal quarrying as a result of which, the land was reduced to below ground level and became unevenly leveled.  On July 2005, he wrote a letter to Mayor Tumang requesting for the stoppage of illegal quarrying. The Mayor claimed that respondent Martin was a tenant of the said property and that the authority to conduct quarrying was given by the said tenant.

The Acting Ombudsman likewise adjudged Tumang and Yabut as having committed gross inexcusable negligence in immediately acceding to the request for the removal of lahar deposit in a private property.

Thus, aside from the filing of criminal charges, Tumang and Yabut were found guilty of Misconduct and for violating RA 6713 (Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees) and were meted the penalty of three months suspension without pay. - https://www.affordablecebu.com/