Screengrab from Ren the Adventurer

The Office of the Ombudsman has taken action against several local and environmental officials in connection with a controversial private resort built within the protected Chocolate Hills in Bohol — a project that went viral last year and drew widespread criticism from the public.

After its investigation, the Ombudsman found Sagbayan Mayor Restituto Suarez III, Zoning Administrator Maximo Lomosbog, and Municipal Building Official Alan Dinoy guilty of Grave Misconduct, Gross Neglect of Duty, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. The three were dismissed from their posts, stripped of their retirement benefits, and permanently disqualified from holding government positions.

In a related move, the Ombudsman also ordered the dismissal of several members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Technical Working Group and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), including senior regional officers and site managers. The list includes Tito Ancog, Paulino Amodia, Laurentino Bautista, Jose Douglas Berenguel, Lito Bonajos, Rogaciana Caduyac, Lorna Fernandez, Gilbert Gonzales, Maria Fe Jala, Betsy Jumamoy, Adelo Mangaya-ay, Paquito Melicor, Ariel Rica, and Ceferino Tajo.

Furthermore, 22 barangay captains who sat as PAMB members were suspended for Simple Misconduct.

The case stems from the approval and construction of a resort in the vicinity of the Chocolate Hills, a UNESCO-declared protected landscape and one of the country’s most iconic tourist attractions. Critics slammed the project for allegedly violating environmental laws and undermining conservation efforts.

With this ruling, the Ombudsman signaled a strong stance on holding public officials accountable for decisions that compromise the country’s natural heritage. The involved officials are expected to seek legal remedies, but the incident has already sparked broader calls for stricter enforcement of environmental protection policies.