6-month suspension for Antique mayor over illegal cutting of coconut trees

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the six-month suspension of Caluya, Antique Mayor Genevieve Lim-Reyes after finding her guilty of grave abuse of authority for the unlawful destruction of a five-hectare coconut farm.

According to the Ombudsman's resolution, Reyes illegally authorized the cutting down of coconut trees in Sitio Poocan, Barangay Tinogboc in February 2014 to pave the way for a relocation project of Sitio Sabang residents.

The Ombudsman said Reyes gave the green light on the operation despite the absence of an application to the Philippine Coconut Authority for cutting down coconut trees on the land.

The municipal council also released no resolution expressing support for the housing project, according to the Ombudsman.

“No sanggunian resolution supporting the housing project was presented as legal basis for respondent’s directive to clear and level the land. This reinforces the conclusion that the clearing operation was made without due process of law,” it said.

The Commission on Human Rights also appealed to Reyes to reconsider the relocation and demolition of the trees due to the lack of consultations with affected residents.

Under the Local Government Code of 1991, government officials are encouraged to hold public consultations with their constituents before a project implementation in the spirit of due process. — BM/KVD, GMA News