The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio Umali for one year over the alleged illegal issuance of a quarry permit.

The order, dated July 3, 2025, and signed by Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas and Officer-in-Charge Dante Vargas, found Umali guilty of “conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and simple misconduct.”

Investigators said the permit did not pass through the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board and lacked an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the DENR–Mines and Geosciences Bureau.

The complaint was filed by Roberto Duldulao and supported by findings from the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office.

Umali was suspended previously for the same case but managed to return to office after securing a temporary restraining order. On August 12, 2025, the Ombudsman re-served the suspension order.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Umali said he respects the Ombudsman’s decision but stressed that the case against him is not about corruption, theft, or wrongdoing.

He described it as "a matter of legal interpretation" on the issuance of quarry permits and claimed the complaint was politically motivated.

“The complainant is a well-known “perennial complainant,” who has long been involved in political cases and is currently serving as a security aide to one of my political rivals — an individual who has already publicly declared his intention to run for governor in 2028,” the statement reads.

Umali also filed a motion for reconsideration, saying he remains firm in fighting for “truth and justice.”

With the suspension in effect, Vice Governor Raymond Umali will serve as acting governor, while Senior Board Member EJ Joson will step in as acting vice governor.