After Treñas, groups file Ombudsman raps vs. Mabilog
Environmental groups filed criminal and administrative charges against Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog for going on a trip to Taiwan sponsored by a company proposing to put up a coal-fired power plant in the city, a few days after they filed a similar complaint against Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Lawyer Romeo Gerochi filed the case against Mabilog before the regional office of the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday in behalf of the Responsible Ilonggos for Renewal Energy (Rise).
In his complaint, Gerochi accused Mabilog of violating Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for going on an all-expenses paid trip to Taiwan on Oct. 12-14 along with seven city councilors.
The round trip from Iloilo to Manila and to Taiwan including accommodations was shouldered by the Global Business Power Corp. (GBPC)-Panay Power Corp. (PPC) and its technical partner, Taiwan-based Formosa Heavy Industries Corp. (FHIC).
GBPC-PPC, the main power supplier of the city, is proposing to build a 100-megawatt coal plant at the PPC plant site in Barangay (Village) Ingore in La Paz District here.
Treñas also went on a similar trip to Taiwan on Sept. 28-30, also sponsored by GBPC-PPC and FHIC.
Gerochi said he will also file complaint against the seven city councilors after he has secured proof that they admitted that the trip was sponsored by the coal-plant proponents. Treñas and Mabilog earlier publicly stated that their trips were sponsored by the proponents.
Mabilog said in an earlier interview that they were not violating any law by pushing through with their trip.
He pointed out that their"study tour", like the trip of Treñas, was approved by Department of Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Austere Panadero.
Mabilog also said they are not violating R.A. 6713 because the coal-plant project did not need the city government's approval.
Like Treñas, he cited the July 13, 2007 memorandum of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources that stated that no permits or clearances issued by national government agencies or local governments would be required in getting an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) or certificate of non-coverage (CNC).
An ECC or CNC is required for projects perceived to have negative environmental impact. The granting of the certificates gives the go-signal for the projects.
Gerochi said he will file charges against Panadero for allowing the officials to go on their trips.