Nueva Ecija, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has suspended Nueva Ecija Governor Aurelio “Oyie” Umali over the alleged illegal issuance of quarrying permits without the required clearances.
According to a report, Umali allegedly approved more than 200 quarrying permits in 2024 without the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
As a result, the provincial government reportedly failed to collect the correct taxes from quarry operations.
After the suspension was announced, the DILG immediately informed Vice Governor Gil Raymond Umali for his automatic assumption as Acting Governor of the province.
Meanwhile, Eduardo B. Joson VII, the first-ranked Sangguniang Panlalawigan member, has been designated as the Acting Vice Governor.
Before the suspension was implemented, the DILG Region III was directed to validate the facts.
According to the report, the suspension was duly served by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The suspension was confirmed through Governor Umali’s filing of a Motion for Reconsideration, indicating his acknowledgment of the action.—Shai Morales, Eurotv News