San Fernando Mayor Fermin Mabulo is facing a complaint before the Office of Ombudsman for allegedly engaging quarrying without permit to do so from either the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) or the provincial government.
Members of Task Force Sagip Kalikasan who had filed their joint affidavit-complaint with the Ombudsman’s office in Quezon City claimed that Mabulo had skirted paying local taxes for quarrying estimated at P54 million, based on the 10-percent tax rate under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).
The environmental warriors even accused that the mayor netted P544 million from his alleged illegal activity.
In their joint complaint, Task Force enforcers Richie Bolaños, Emmanuel Bustarga and Nimuel Azuela listed four charges against Mabulo for illegal quarrying, along with the barangay chairmen of five of San Fernando’s barangays for their alleged complicity in this illicit trade.
Accused with Mabulo were Chairmen Larry Mateo of Barangay Beberon, Joebert Lumabao of Brgy. Bocal, Enopre Metillo of Brgy. Pipian, Edelito Aborde of Brgy. Alianza and Julian Coros Jr. of Grijalvo for their suspected involvement in, or “omission and indifference” to, the years-long illicit quarrying in the municipality.
The complainants sought the immediate suspension without pay of the mayor and the five barangay chairmen.
According to the complaint, in the SB session on Feb. 7, 2022, the councilors discussed that one of the trucks used in the quarrying belonged to Michelle Mabulo.
The mayor’s wife claimed her quarrying was legitimate and that she had been paying municipal taxes for every trip of the trucks.
But citing a certification from the Provincial Treasury, the complainants countered that there wasn’t any record of such supposed tax payments made by Michelle Mabulo, or by the mayor, their daughter Louise Mabulo or their family-owned firm LDGM Construction and Supply Corp.
They also accued Mabulo and the five barangay chairmen of failing to stop the rampant illicit quarrying in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
“Respondent Mabulo, both directly, being constantly identified as the owner of illegal quarrying sites in the municipality of San Fernando, and by gross inexcusable negligence, being the mayor of the municipality, has allowed the proliferation of illegal quarrying sites in San Fernando, Camarines Sur,” said the complainants.
“(He) has been found to be personally involved in illegal quarrying. In fact, two CDOs have been previously issued the respondent for his personal involvement in the illegal extraction of earthfill.”