Ched Rick Gatchalian

Screengrab image from a drone video of the Captain’s Peak resort at the foot of Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan, Bohol, shot on March 14, 2024, after netizens questioned its location in a protected area. Froilan Billiones, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Ombudsman dismisses Bohol mayor, suspends Barangay Captains over Chocolate Hills controversy

Annie Perez

<p>CEBU CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman found three officials of Sagbayan, Bohol guilty of Grave Misconduct, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service over a private resort they allowed built in protected tourist destination Chocolate Hills.</p><p>Found liable were Mayor Restituto Suarez III, Zoning Administrator Maximo Lomosbog and Municipal Building Official Alan Dinoy.</p><p>The three are dismissed from their posts, have had their retirement benefits forfeited, and are disqualified from government service.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/13/viral-chocolate-hills-resort-ordered-closed-due-to-violation-denr-1512"><strong>Viral Chocolate Hills resort ordered closed due to violation: DENR<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>ENVIRONMENT OFFICIALS SACKED</strong></div><p>Also dismissed were the following members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Technical Working Group and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources:</p><div><br/></div><p>• Tito Ancog</p><p>• Paulino Amodia</p><p>• Laurentino Bautista, Officer-in-Charge of DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office and Protected Area superintendent</p><p>• Jose Douglas Berenguel</p><p>• Lito Bonajos</p><p>• Rogaciana Caduyac</p><p>• Lorna Fernandez, PAMB secretariat and assistant Protected Area superintendent</p><p>• Gilbert Gonzales, PAMB chairman</p><p>• Maria Fe Jala</p><p>• Betsy Jumamoy</p><p>• Adelo Mangaya-ay</p><p>• Paquito Melicor, regional director of DENR 7 (Central Visayas)</p><p>• Ariel Rica</p><p>• Ceferino Tajo</p><div><br/></div><p>The Ombudsman also suspended 22 barangay captains who are members of the Protected Area Management Board for Simple Misconduct.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/22/stricter-policies-eyed-to-prevent-another-chocolate-hills-resort-2214"><strong>Stricter policies eyed to prevent another &#x27;Chocolate Hills resort&#x27;</strong></a></div><p>The case is centered on Captain&#x27;s Peak Resort, photos of which went viral online.</p><p>The National Historical Commission of the Philippines lists Chocolate Hills as a declared National Treasure.</p><p>The hills are also a UNESCO World Heritage site and a declared protected area under Philippine laws.</p><div> </div><div><strong>IRREGULARITIES FOUND</strong></div><p>The Ombudsman found that the resort was reportedly constructed and operated without the required permits and clearances, specifically an Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Compliance Certificate, and Special Use Agreement in Protected Areas.</p><p>It also allegedly lacked mayor&#x27;s and business permits, building permits, and locational clearances for the years 2020-2024.</p><p>These &quot;unrestricted developments&quot; are said to have caused the &quot;defacement and mutilation&quot; of the Chocolate Hills National Monument.</p><p>There were two resolutions from the PAMB granting the favorable endorsement for a proposed resort project, including facilities like a function hall, swimming pool, and cottages. </p><p>“They allowed the development of the Captain’s Peak without compliance,” wrote the decision.</p><p>Although a notice of violation was issued against the resort, authorities did not do anything about the resort.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/19/after-captain-s-peak-dilg-to-probe-other-chocolate-hills-structures-1042"><strong>After Captain&#x27;s Peak: DILG to probe other Chocolate Hills structures<br/></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>STERN WARNING</strong></div><p>The Ombudsman also issued a reprimand with stern warning to Executive Committee members from 2018 to 2022 who were absent from the meetings.</p><p>This include Bohol Gov. Enrico Aristotle Aumentado, Sagbayan Mayor Restituto Suarez III, Catigbian Mayors Elizabeth Pace and Virgilio Lurot, Clarin Mayor Allen Ray Piezas, Bilar Mayor Norman Palacio, Sierra Bullones Simplicio Maestrado Jr., Siera Bullones Mayor Michael Dora and Valencia Mayor Dionicio Neil Balite.</p><p>Many other respondents, including vmayors, municipal administrators, provincial officials, barangay captains, and a tourism officer, faced the administrative charge of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service but this was eventually dismissed.</p><p>Those involved are yet to comment on the issue.</p>

<p>The Office of the Ombudsman found three officials of Sagbayan, Bohol guilty of Grave Misconduct, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service over a private resort they allowed built in protected tourist destination Chocolate Hills.</p>

The Office of the Ombudsman found three officials of Sagbayan, Bohol guilty of Grave Misconduct, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service over a private resort they allowed built in protected tourist destination Chocolate Hills.

Ombudsman sacks Bohol mayor, DENR director for resort built on Chocolate Hills

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Regions

Ombudsman sacks Bohol mayor, DENR director for resort built on Chocolate Hills

Annie Perez

Published Aug 15, 2025 03:26 PM PHT

Read More:

ABSnews

ANC Promo

Bohol

Chocolate Hills

Ombudsman

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.