Guv: Cojuangcos don’t want us to run
LINGAYEN—“The real issue here is not the black sand… this is happening because they don’t want me and my son to run.”
This was the reaction of Governor Amado Espino Jr. on Saturday after receiving a copy of the resolution from the Office of the Ombudsman dated Jan. 11 denying the motions for reconsideration filed by Espino, dismissed provincial administrator Rafael Baraan and provincial housing and urban development officer Alvin Bigay, and officers of the companies contracted for anti-graft and corrupt practices law for the alleged black sand mining in Lingayen.
The governor maintained that it his political detractors who are behind the continued prosecution of the alleged black sand mining.
“They told me before that the case may still be dismissed if we won’t run (for the May 9 elections),” he said.
Mr. Espino has filed a bid for the 5th congressional district seat to contest bid of incumbent Rep. Kimi Cojuangco, while his son, Board Member Amado Espino III, is running for governor for this year’s elections opposing her husband, former Rep. Mark Cojuangco.
He recalled that the issue started in 2012, a few months before his reelection in 2013.
To his detractors whom he claimed were boasting that they had a hand in the rejection of their appeal. Mr. Espino said, “The harsh punishment which is not due is already harsh, why add cruelty to that?” referring to the penalties imposed on Baraan and Bigay.
Mr. Espino stressed that officials of government environment agencies and the original complainants have stated that there was no black sand (magnetite) mining activities in the ecotourism zone covering four barangays in Lingayen namely Sabangan, Estanza, Malimpuec, and Capandanan.
He said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) Region 1 Director Carlos Tayag also already denied reports claiming that there is black sand or magnetite sand extraction in the area.
Meanwhile, Mr. Espino said he is ready to face any legal action on the case.
“If a suspension order comes out, I will accept it. If they serve an arrest warrant, I will post my bail,” he intoned. (Johanne Macob)
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