The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges before the Regional Trial Court in Naga City, Cebu, against suspended Minglanilla Mayor Rajiv Enad, Vice Mayor Elanito Peña, 10 Sangguniang Bayan members, and the municipal administrator over the alleged unlawful denial of a rehabilitation plan in Sitio Napo, Barangay Guindarohan.
In its press release dated June 22, 2026, the Ombudsman said it found probable cause to charge the officials for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“The Ombudsman determined that respondents acted with evident bad faith, manifest partiality, or gross inexcusable negligence when they disapproved the complainants’ Rehabilitation Plan despite DENR’s partial lifting of the CDO for its implementation,” the resolution stated.
The case stemmed from the local government’s repeated denial of a rehabilitation plan submitted by Jomara Konstruct Corporation and Jomara Agri Foods and Supply Corporation following reported ground cracks in a quarry area in 2021.
Although the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) reportedly supported the plan, the municipal council continued to reject its approval.
The Ombudsman further noted that the respondents disregarded technical recommendations and allegedly gave “unwarranted benefit, advantage, or preference” to competing interests. It also cited evidence of conspiracy among officials in passing a resolution denying the proposal.
All respondents are currently under a one-year preventive suspension issued earlier by the Ombudsman, while the case proceeds in court. One official was dismissed from the complaint for lack of merit.
