counter affidavit - semirara (final)

7/23/2019 Counter Affidavit - Semirara (Final)

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SEMIRARA MINING CORP.

Through its Manager. George San PedroComplaint

- VERSUS OMB-V-C-!-"#$-EOMB-V-%-!-"&'-E

BIENVENIDO L. LIPAYONO(C) Regional *ire+torEn,ironmental Management Bureau EMB*ept. o/ En,ironment 0 1atural Resour+es *E1RRegion V() (loilo Cit2

Respondent3-------------------------------------------------3

COUNTER AFFIDAVIT

COMES NOW the Respondent and unto this 4onora5le Court) a/ter 5eing dul2s6orn) depose and state7

1 -That( amBIENVENIDO L. LIPAYON, o/ legal age) married) 8ilipino) and 6ith

residen+e and postal address at Opal Street) Tagum Cit2) *a,ao del 1orte9

2 - That ( am a holder o/ permanent position as Chie/) En,ironmental

Management Spe+ialist) EMB :() 6ith a salar2 grade o/ Grade ;&9

3 - That ( am presentl2 assigned at the O//i+e o/ the Regional *ire+tor)

En,ironmental Management Bureau) Region :() *a,ao Cit2 6ith no spe+i/i+

assignment) responsi5ilities and a++ounta5ilities9

4 -That m2 last designation prior to m2 trans/er to m2 ne6 assignment as a5o,e-

stated 6as O(C) Regional *ire+tor) EMB-*E1R V(9

5 -That ( am the respondent in the a5o,e-entitled +riminal and administrati,e

in,estigation.

%m ( administrati,el2 and Criminall2 To do in?usti+e is more disgra+e/ul than to su//er it.@


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P


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E3e+uti,e Management Committee E:COM +haired 52 the Pro,in+ial En,ironment

and 1atural Resour+es o/ region V( PE1RO.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that the MMT does not administer the

/unds. Based on our re+ords in EMB-') no 6or and /inan+ial plan 6as appro,ed 52 the

Chairman o/ the E:ECOM 6hi+h is a +ondition in the MO%. (tem ; The En,ironmental

Monitoring 8und) ;." The a+tual amount to 5e allo+ated shall 5e determined on the

5asis o/ the %nnual Monitoring For and 8inan+ial Plan re/erred to in Se+tion ".'."

a5o,e) as appro,ed 52 the MMT. This is a annual undertaing.

(n the MO% it states in (tem # The En,ironmental Guarantee 8und) #.;

Esta5lishment o/ the EG8 Committee %n EG8 Committee shall 5e esta5lished to

manage the EG8. The Committee shall 5e +omposed o/ the /ollo6ing7

-*E1R Region ' Regional E3e+uti,e *ire+tor as Chairperson

-SCC representati,e as Vi+e Chairperson

-%ntiDue Pro,in+ial representati,e

-Calu2a Muni+ipalit2 representati,e

-Baranga2 Chairperson o/ Baranga2 Semirara

The EG8 Committee has not 5een /un+tioning e,er sin+e %ugust "') ;& to

date 6hile ( 6as O(C) Regional *ire+tor. 1o meetings to sol,e the present +omplaints

o/ damages to li,elihood. The +omplainant) Mr. Gra+ito Pagia ha,e 5een +omplaining o/

damages e,er sin+e ; and no response o/ the Committee ha,e 5een made. Based

on the oint (nspe+tion Report dated %pril "'-") ;! o/ EMB-' and CE1RO Culasi.

The EG8 Committee is Chaired 52 the Regional E3e+uti,e *ire+tor not 52 the

Pro,in+ial En,ironment and 1atural Resour+es O//i+er PE1RO as alleged 52 SMC in

their +omplaint-a//ida,it.

4en+e) a ,iolation o/ the MO%.

11 - T!" I"#$ N%.5 %& "# '%$()!*+"0 >The MMT) through the PE1RO) has

5een /un+tioning 6ell in its monitoring a+ti,ities and has a good 6oring relations 6ith

SMC sin+e its esta5lishment in ;.@


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T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" * that the MMT is not e//i+ient nor

e//e+ti,e in sol,ing and addressing +omplaints 5ased on the alleged +omplaint o/ some

residents o/ Sitio Bigo) Baranga2 %legria) Semirara (sland) Calu2a) %ntiDue.

The2 /ailed also in reporting to EMB-' and resol,ing +ases against SMC on the

alleged siltation and pollution o/ Sitio Bigo and Sitio Suha) Semirara (sland) Calu2a)

%ntiDue. %t Sitio Bigo the siltation is at the o//shore sand5ar and at the Sitio Suha the

silted area is appro3imatel2 #-& he+tares 6hi+h 6ere +on,erted to a pri,ate propert2

6ith ta3 de+laration and massi,e destru+tion o/ mangro,es and other plant spe+ies not

6ithstanding shells and +rusta+eans. Report o/ the oint (nspe+tion Team dated %pril

"'-") ;!. Others mine /or emphasis. The MMT is so remiss o/ their duties and

responsi5ilities. 4en+e) another ,iolation o/ the MO%.

12 - T!" I"#$ N%.6 %& "# '%$()!*+"0 7(n ;) ho6e,er) the respondent

6anted to amend the MO% 52 repla+ing the PE1RO 6ith himsel/ as Chair o/ the

E:COM. % dra/t o/ the proposed amendment and Manual o/ Operations /or MMTs 6as

sent to SMC /or the latterHs +on/ormit2.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that EMB-'IRespondentHs 5asis is theRe,ised Pro+edural Manual /or *epartment %dministrati,e Order 1o. ;#-#) the

(mplementing rules and Regulations o/ Mala+anang %dministrati,e Order 1o. &; dated

1o,em5er ;) ;; issued 52 the President) under P.*. "$' or the Philippine MMT 6as

+hanged in+luding the mem5ership. Under the Re,ised Pro+edural Manual o/ *%O

;#-#) a pro-/ormatted MO% in anne3 #-&) Se+tion B) states) >as a general rule) the

*E1R-EMB Regional *ire+tor shall ser,e as the MMT Chair. (n some +ases) the

pro,isions o/ the MO% on the esta5lishment o/ the MMT ma2 spe+i/2 pro+edures /or the

sele+tion o/ the MMT Chair. The sele+tion o/ non-*E1R persons as Chair o/ the MMT

shall reDuire prior +on+urren+e o/ the *E1R-EMB R* +on+erned.@

SMC did not agree 5ased on their letter dated une ;') ;) on the proposed

re,ision o/ the MO% and su5mission o/ the proposed Manual o/ Operations) 5e+ause)

a++ording to them) the MMT 6as alread2 5een organiAed) it restate the guidelines o/ the

MO%) the Manual sees to re,ise the MO% and the MMT is e//i+ient.

On ul2 ) ;) EMBIRespondent a+no6ledged the letter o/ SMC through

Counsel) that 6e 6ill +lari/2 the issues raised.

4en+e) until no6 there is a status Duo and did not harm SMC nor it 6as ridi+uled

6ith our a+tion 6hi+h is 5ased on legal grounds. EMBIRespondent is ?ust /ollo6ing


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*E1R poli+ies not through our 6hims and +apri+es. Fhat then 6as m2 ,iolation i/ SMC

did not +on/orm to our proposal and the status Duo is in e//e+t= 1othing at allJ

13 -T!" I"#$ N%. 7 %& "# '%$()!*+"0>SMC ignored the proposal at /irst 5ut

respondent 6as insistent and reiterated SMCHs +on/ormit2 to the ne6 set-up.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*#!+ "# "" *that our letter on %pril ") ; 6as

an a+no6ledgement o/ the Complian+e Monitoring Report /or SMC. Fe also in/ormed

SMC and it states7

>Ma2 6e in/orm 2ou that 6e are no6 implementing the Re,ised Pro+edural

Manual o/ *%O #-#) the implementing rules and regulations o/ P.*. "$'. Under this

re,ised manual) an updated /ormat o/ +omplian+e monitoring is in+luded. Relati,e to

this) ma2 6e ad,ise 2ou to use the ne6 /ormat 6hi+h 6ill result to a more

+omprehensi,e monitoring report. Monitoring should in+lude the +omplian+e to the EMP

and the a+tual measures 5eing implemented 5ased on the a+tual impa+ts o/ the pro?e+t.

Our sole purpose 6as to impro,e the operations o/ the MMT and in +onsonan+e

to ne6 poli+ies o/ the *E1R 6hi+h is 5eing implemented nation6ide. Fe did not+ommit administrati,e andIor +riminal lia5ilities 6hen 6e are ?ust /ollo6ing ne6 poli+ies

and reiterated our letter on ul2 "#) ; 5e+ause SMC did not +are to ans6er said

letter) 1one at allJ 4o6e,er) our a+no6ledgement on the letter o/ SMC is 5ased on the

rules o/ the Om5udsman.

14 - T!" I"#$ N%. / %& "# '%$()!*+"0>SMC put its /oot do6n on respondentHs

proposal in a letter dated une ;') ; sa2ing that the e3isting leadership and set-up

o/ the MMT are /un+tioning 6ell and +ould not 5e +hanged 52 the respondent as the

same 6ere installed 52 the *E1R Se+retar2.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that SMC sho6ed its arrogan+e 52

not ans6ering EMB-'IRespondentHs letter dated ul2 "#) ;.

% MO% is not unmo,a5le thing that it +annot 5e re,ised or amended to suit ne6

poli+ies o/ the *E1R. ( am not the signator2 o/ MO%s) i/ there are an2 to 5e installed or

re,ised or amended) it is the *E1R Regional E3e+uti,e *ire+tor or the EMB Central

O//i+e *ire+tor or the Se+retar2 himsel/.


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But SMC is sho6ing its arrogan+e 52 not +ompl2ing 6ith ne6 sets o/ pro+edures

and poli+ies. 4o6e,er) 6e did not insist and the same set up is still 5eing /ollo6ed 52

SMC. Fhat ,iolation and damage did 6e mae to SMC= %gain) none at allJ

15 -T!"*"#$ N%. %& "# '%$()!*+") >SMCHs ad,erse rea+tion re+ei,ed a +urt

repl2 /rom the respondent in a letter dated ul2 ) ; sa2ing that the issues raised 52

SMC 6ill 5e +lari/ied in due time) SMC has not re+ei,ed an2 +lari/i+ation up to this time.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "!" "" * that SMC is ?ust maing up things)

e3aggerating to mae a +ase against me respondent so that ( 6ill 5o6 to their 6ishes

due to their intimidation) harassment and ,e3ation. The2 are so ignorant o/ the +hanges

in poli+ies o/ the *E1R and Mala+aKang.

Our a+tions 6ere not 5ased on our 6hims and +apri+es 5ut 5ased on +hanges o/

poli+ies that 6e ha,e to implement and are 6ithin the regulator2 po6ers delegated 52

la6. (t is ,er2 +lear that the intention o/ SMC is not to +ompl2 6ith the ne6 reDuirements

6ith the ne6 poli+ies.

SMC is ?ust imagining things and +learl2 assuming e,en putting 6ords that 6ould+reate anger and hatred. (n our letter o/ ul2 ) ; to SMC the2 +alled it a +urt repl2

6hen in /a+t it is a reDuirement o/ the Om5udsman to repl2 6ithin a mandator2

time/rame o/ letters re+ei,ed 52 the O//i+e.

EMB-V( did not stop the present MMT /rom doing its /un+tions. The *E1R-

PE1RO is still the head o/ the MMT. Fe ha,e +alled them /or a +on/eren+e sin+e ;

to iron out and e3plain to them ne6 pro+edures) and other matters and SMC did not

attend an2.

16 - T!" *"#$ +%. 1 %& "# '%$()!*+">On *e+em5er ";) ;) a+ting on

+omplaint dated Septem5er ') ; /rom some residents in Baranga2 Bigo) %legria

%ntiDue) respondent sent SMC a noti+e o/ alleged Violation in the area emanating /rom

SMCHs +oal 6ashing plant.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" * "!"0

On *e+em5er #) ;) EMB-*E1R) region V( re+ei,ed a +omplaint addressed to

the 4on. ose


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The +omplaint 6as on the +oal 6ashing plant o/ SMC 6hi+h dis+harges 5la+ silt

6herein he+tares o/ mangro,es and seagrasses are +o,ered 6ith said 5la+ silt. (ts

siltation pond had long not 5een maintained. There li,elihood 6as a//e+ted.

The +omplainants are reDuesting the /ollo6ing.

". (mmediate trans/er or properl2 maintain the +oal 6ashing plant9

;. To ha,e a program to reha5ilitate the area a//e+ted9

#. To pa2 /or +ompensation o/ damages9 and

&. To pro,ide alternati,e li,elihood to those 6ho are a//e+ted.

On 1o,em5er ;) ;) the Pro,in+ial Board o/ %ntiDue passed Resolution 1o.

#"-; /a,ora5l2 endorsing the petition o/ the residents o/ Sitio Bigo) Baranga2

%legria) Calu2a) %ntiDue to her E3+ellen+2 Gloria Ma+apagal-%rro2o) Senate president

uan Pon+e Enrile) 4ouse Speaer Prospero 1ograles and Se+retar2


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".;a (/ 2es) 6ithin ; hours *E1R-EMB send proponent SMC a 1oti+e o/

%lleged Violation 1%V and reDuest /or an o//i+ial repl2 as to 6h2 the

Proponent should not 5e penaliAed.

Our +omment7

EMB-V(IRespondent issued a 1oti+e o/ %lleged Violation on *e+em5er ";)

; to SMC on the alleged 5la+ silt emanating /rom the +oal 6ashing plant that

/lo6s out dire+tl2 to the sea. The alleged siltation and +ontamination o/ an2

6ater5od2 +onstitute a ,iolation o/ the +onditions o/ the ECC issued in 2our /a,or

ECC 1o. !$-!-#; dated %ugust ";) "!!! spe+i/i+all2 +onditions 1os. &)

&' and & 6hi+h deals on proper measures to mitigate siltation and

+ontamination o/ the near52 6ater5od2.

".;5 EMB *ire+torIR* re/ers +omplaint to Pollution %d?udi+ation Board P%B) or

go,ernment entitiesI


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#.; EMB holds a te+hni+al +on/eren+e7 6hether Proponent attends or not) +ase

is deemed su5mitted.

#.# 1oti+e o/ Violation 1OV and Order o/ Pa2ment issued 52 EMB.

Our +omment7

EMB-'IRespondent issued a 1oti+e o/ Violation on 8e5ruar2 ") ;! and Order

o/ 8ine on e,en date a/ter issuan+e o/ 1oti+e o/ %lleged Violation 6as issued on

*e+em5er ";) ; and SMCHs ans6er on an undatedletter and te+hni+al +on/eren+e

on anuar2 #) ;!.

4en+e) there is no iota o/ gross mis+ondu+t no tra+es o/ hostilit2) nor retaliation to

SMCHs re/usal to a++ede to respondentHs inordinate interest to +ontrol the MMT and its

/unds) 5ut in the interest o/ /air pla2 a/ter gi,ing SMC a da2 in +ourt. (t is 5ased on the

re,ised pro+edural manual o/ *%O ;#-#.

17 - T!" *"#$ N%. 11 %& "# '%$()!*+"0 >(n repl2) SMC e3plained that the

alleged siltation) i/ at all) 6as in ;' 2et +aused 52 /or+e majeure- t2phoons) that the+omplaints 6as alread2 dis+ussed 52 the MMT in its Septem5er ; meeting at 6hi+h

SMC dis+losed that remedial and mitigating measures ha,e 5een installed and that the

matter had alread2 5een resol,ed 6ith the +on/ormit2 o/ the +omplainants) a +op2 o/

SMCHs letter dated anuar2 ;) ;!.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that SMCHs position that the siltation

6as +aused 52 /or+e ma?eure is to sa2 the least a 5latant lie. (/ SMC has +orporate

so+ial responsi5ilit2) no6s 52 heart the +onditions o/ its ECC and i/ SMC no6s the

di//erent la6s) implementing rules and regulations and Pro+edural Manual) the2 should

ha,e reported the siltation +aused 52 t2phoons there and then.

E,en the dead and d2ing mangro,es 6ere not reported to *E1R) in ,iolation o/

P.*. $ or the 8orestr2 %ll appropriate mitigating measures shall 5e instituted to minimiAe the

generation o/ noise) dust) siltation and +ontamination o/ an2 6ater 5od2

throughout the pro?e+t operation) noise le,el) emission and e//luent

generated shall +on/orm 6ith *E1R Standard.@


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Based on the (nspe+tion +ondu+ted on %pril "'-") ;!) the sample taen at the

e//luent sho6ed that the Total Suspended Solids TSS had a ,alue o/ ;; milligrams

per liter mgIl. The /irmHs e//luent e3+eeded the standards o/ TSS 6hen +ompared to

*E1R Standard o/ "$ mgIl under +lass >*@ Suha +ree is un+lassi/ied 6ater 5odies

6ater pursuant to Ta5le ;5 o/ *%O !-#$ >Re,ised E//luent Regulation o/ "!!) and

%mending the e//luent Regulations o/ "!;. On the other hand) samples taen "$

meters do6nstream o/ the ?un+tion ha,e a ,alue o/ ;!; mgIl) 6hile "$ to ; meters

/rom the mouth has a ,alue o/ "'' mgIl. in terms o/ TSS.

(nspe+tion Report +ondu+ted 52 Engr. Virgilio 8.

8a5romero) Engr Prior to +onstru+tion o/ the sea 5arrier) installation o/ silts +urtains and

siltation ponds) an %uthorit2 to Constru+tIPermit to Operate shall 5e

se+ured /rom the *E1R) Region V(.@

SMC did not se+ure %uthorit2 to Constru+t sea 5arriers and installation o/ silt

+urtains and siltation ponds

ECC +onditions 1o. & sa2s)

>%deDuate drainage s2stem shall 5e pro,ided /or the sto+piles) +oal

6ashing plant. Storage areas and the entire mining premises and parallel

a++ess roads to minimiAe transport o/ sediments /rom the earth6or

areas to the ri,er s2stem and +onseDuentl2 to the sea.@

%gain) SMC ,iolated this pro,isions o/ the ECC) hen+e) 6e issued 1oti+e o/

Violation and Order to pa2 /ine.

The ECC is atta+hed as %nne3 &.


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This is a hard e,iden+e) that SMC ,iolated P.*. "$' and R.%. !;$ or the

Philippine Clean Fater %+t. That is 6h2 the +ase 6as endorsed to the Pollution

%d?udi+ation Board on 8e5ruar2 ") ;!.

*uring the te+hni+al +on/eren+e on anuar2 #) ;!) the +omplaint 6as read 52

the Chairman) then aga6ad Cesar dela Torre and Baranga2 Captain Ronald M.


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The2 6ere 6arned under ECC +onditions 1o. &) &' and & and 2et did not tr2 to

+ontain or mitigate the siltation there52 polluting the 5od2 o/ 6ater Suha Cree until it

rea+hed into the sea.

Polluting an2 5od2 o/ 6ater) 6hether it is) inland or sea6ater is a ,iolation under

the pro,isions o/ se+tion ; o/ R.%. !;$ o/ the Philippine Cleam Fater %+t 6hi+h

states9

Se+tion ; prohi5ited %+ts The /ollo6ing a+ts are here52 prohi5ited7

a *is+harging) depositing or +ausing to 5e deposited materials o/ an2

ind dire+tl2 or indire+tl2 into the 6ater 5odies or along the margins o/ an2

sur/a+e 6ater 6here the same shall 5e lia5le to 5e 6ashed into su+h

sur/a+e 6ater) either 52 tide a+tion or 52 storm) /loods or other6ise) 6hi+h

+ould +ause 6ater pollution or impede natural /lo6 in the 6ater 5od2.

SMC +annot +laim /or+e ma?eure as the +ause o/ siltation in the margins o/ Sitio

Su?a) Baranga2 Semirara and at the sundunes o/ Sitio Bigo) Baranga2 %legria.

1/ - T!" *"#$ N%. 12 %& "# '%$()!*+"0 >Mean6hile on 8e5ruar2 ) ;!) the

*E1R V() O(C-CE1RO Communit2 En,ironment and 1atural resour+es O//i+er

8reddie Magtoto Magtoto /or short +ondu+ted an o+ular inspe+tion in Baranga2 Bigo to

determine the ,era+it2 o/ the alleged siltation in the area su5?e+t o/ the +omplaint. 4e

/ound out that7

a there 6as no siltation in the mangro,e /orests +oming /rom SMCHs mining

operations9

5 there 6as no damage to the mangro,es or to the seagrasses and that

sea6eed plantations in the area are health2 and o/ good Dualit2.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that the o+ular inspe+tion o/ Magtoto

6as so limited in the part o/ Sitio Bigo that has no siltation and no pollution pro5lem. 4e

Magtoto did not initiate and go /urther to 6here the siltation o/ +oal silts 6here

deposited. (t 6as /urther a6a2 /rom the shoreline o/ Sitio Bigo) Baranga2 %legria at the

sand dunes 6ith geographi+ +oordinates o/ ";;.;"H 1orth and ";";".;!H East. This

is still part o/ Sitio Bigo.


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Magtoto during his inspe+tion 6as 6ith Mr. Vi+tor %. Consun?i) President o/

Semirara Mining Corporation) Engr. anisto *iaA o/ SMCHs En,ironmental Unit and Mr.

Timie O. Bienes) 4ead o/ the Communit2 Relations) O//i+e at Sitio Bigo to ,eri/2 the

+omplaints.

Magtoto ?usti/ied that it 6as onl2 %ugust ";) "!!!) that Semirara Mining

Corporation has started their mining a+ti,ities) 5e+ause that 6as the time that se+retar2

%ntonio 4. Cerilles) issued the ECC.

8urthermore) it 6as the same 6ashing plant and siltation ponds o/ then SCC a

go,ernment o6ned and +ontrolled +orp. that 6ere utiliAed 52 SMC 6hen the2 started

their mining a+ti,it2 o/ Panian Coal Mine.

The ?usti/i+ation o/ Magtoto that SCC 6as the one 6ho operated the +oal

6ashing plant prior the use o/ SMC is mispla+ed 5e+ause i/ 2ou 5ought the rights and

interest o/ SCC 2ou ha,e also a+Duired the pollution and siltation +aused 52 SCC. SMC

5e/ore their taeo,er must ha,e +ondu+ted >due diligen+e@ stud2 o/ all aspe+ts o/

operations o/ SCC.

Magtoto has no iniatiati,e to loo /or other means) e,en though) he no6s 6here

the 5ul o/ the siltation and 6ater pollution 6as. Sitio Su?a is a near52) i/ not ?ust a

5oundar2 o/ Sitio Bigo) and 2et he did not see the dead and d2ing mangro,es 6ith

hea,2 siltation.

Magtoto is a detailed *E1R-CE1RO O//i+er at Semirara (sland) and he should

no6 the ins and outs o/ Semirara (sland. But i/ he +losed his e2es and ears and /a,or

SMC then the report is 5iased in /a,or o/ SMC. But he is the guardian o/ en,ironment

and natural resour+es 5eing an o//i+er o/ *E1R-CE1RO.

4e /ailed the test o/ resilien+2 to pressure. But ho6 +an he) 6ho is alone detailed

in the island. 4e is in a pitia5le situation.

The *E1R-PE1RO %ntiDue) 8or. Vi+ente %. Sardinia issued a Memorandum

dated anuar2 #) ;! to Magtoto dire+ted him to +oordinate 6ith the 8ield operation

o/ SMC regarding the +ondu+t o/ in,entor2 o/ mangro,e spe+ies damagedIa//e+ted 52

siltation. This is in line 6ith the agreement during the & thDuarter MMT meeting last

*e+em5er $-) ; and during the te+hni+al +on/eren+e on anuar2 #) ;!. 4e

Magtoto 6as dire+ted to su5mit a report on or 5e/ore 8e5ruar2 "') ;! o/ in,entor2 to

in+lude the num5er o/ a//e+ted mangro,e spe+ies) area +o,ered) maps) pi+torials and

the total area. %nne3 '.


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%nother Memorandum 6as issued 52 PE1RO Sardinia to the O(C) CE1R O//i+er)

CE1RO) Culasi) %ntiDue dated Mar+h #") ;!) attention7 8arm Super,isor 8reddie

Magtoto 6ith su5?e+t7 usti/i+ationIE3plaination on the *ead mangro,es in sitio Su?a)

Semirara) Calu2a) %ntiDue due to siltation +aused 52 T2phoon >8ran@ +onsidered as

>8or+e Ma?eure.@ %nne3 .

The gist o/ the Memorandum o/ PE1RO Sardinia 6as the memorandum

su5mitted to PE1RO dated 8e5ruar2 ;) ;! regarding in,entor2 6hi+h stated7

>si3t2 ' mangro,es) mostl2 Bungalan %,i+enia marina) %pi-%pi

%,i+enia O//i+inalis and ""$ Ta5ou Saplings 8ran@. %nne3 .

Magtoto sent a Memorandum to the PE1R O//i+er) %ntiDue) thru the O(C) CE1R

O//i+er) Culasi) %ntiDue 6ith su5?e+t7 +omplian+e to PE1RO Memorandum Order dated

Mar+h #") ;!.


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4is ?usti/i+ationIe3planation 6ere as /ollo6s7

That the /ormer SCC /rom "!-"!!) their +oal ashI+oal 6aste 6as dump

near Su?a and *apdap9

Through the 2ears o/ +ontinuous dumping) dire+tl2 into the shoreline o/ Su?a)

the +oal 6aste has 5e+ome a mountain9

%side /rom the +oal 5lending sto+piled) the mountain o/ +oal 6aste 6as the

main sour+eI+ontri5utor o/ the siltation in Suha and dapdap9

Said mountainIsto+piled o/ 6aste erodedI+ollapsed dire+tl2 into the sea

5e+ause o/ hea,2 rains and strong 6a,es 5rought 52 super t2phoon sen2ang

sometime *e+em5er "') ;' 6hi+h 6as /ollo6ed 52 tropi+al depression

Calo2 and t2phoon 8ran9

8rom "!-"!!') there 6as no stri+t implementation o/ mining andIor

en,ironmental la6s 5e+ause the Pro,ision o/ P.*. "$' o/ the Philippine E(S

S2stem Rules and regulations) *%O !'-# 6as onl2 implemented on anuar2

"!!9

The siltation and +ontamination o/ Su?a and *apdap due to /or+e ma?eure or

natural +alamit2 shall 5e reha5ilitated 52 SMC.

Our Comment7

SMC 6as dire+ted through the issuan+e o/ the En,ironmental Complian+e

Certi/i+ate ECC to institute appropriate mitigating measures on siltation and+ontamination o/ an2 6ater 5od29 +onstru+t sea 5arriers) installation o/ silt +urtains and

siltation ponds) an %uthorit2 to Constru+tIPermit to Operate shall 5e se+ured) adeDuate

drainage s2stem shall 5e pro,ided /or the sto+piles) +oal 6ashing plant) storage areas

and the entire mining premises to minimiAe transport o/ sediments /rom the earth6or

areas to the ri,er s2stem and +onseDuentl2 to the sea.


16/34

16

These ECC +onditions are ECC 1os. &) &' and &. That is 6h2 EMB-

'IRespondent issued a 1oti+e o/ Violation and Order o/ 8ine /or ,iolating these ECC

+onditions.

(n the oint (nspe+tion Report (tem & it states) >(t 6as noted that no di,ersion

+anal nor an2 mitigating measures 6as pro,ided along the em5anment o/ Ba2ong

+ree to pre,ent the erosion /rom 6aste mound to 5e +arried o,er 52 6ater to6ards the

emergen+2 pond during hea,2 do6npour.@ This ?usti/ies our issuan+e o/ the 1oti+e o/

Violation and Order o/ 8ine.

%lso) the2 are lia5le under R.%. !;$ or the Philippine Clean Fater %+t 6hi+h

prohi5its depositing o/ silt into 5odies o/ 6ater.

%s dis+ussed 52 the MMT on 8e5ruar2 ;'-;) Ba2ong Cree is silted 6ith Coal Faste.

1 - T!" I"#$ N%. 13 %& "# '%$()!*+"0 >On 8e5ruar2 ") ;!) in 5latant

disregard o/ the a5o,e /indings o/ the CE1RO) the respondent issued a 1oti+e o/

Violation /inding SMC lia5le /or alleged ,iolation o/ its ECC on a++ount o/ the >5la+ silt

allegedl2 /rom SCMHs +oal 6ashing plant that /lo6ed dire+tl2 to the sea.@

T* !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *) there 6as no 5latant disregard o/

MagtotoHs report i/ SMC is prudent enough in its a++usation. MagtotoHs report 6as dated

"' 8e5ruar2 ;! to the O(C) PE1RO O//i+er) *E1R) San ose) %ntiDue. Our 1oti+e o/

Violation 6as issued on " 8e5ruar2) ;!. MagtotoHs report 6as not 2et o//i+iall2

re+ei,ed 52 EMB-'IRespondent 6hen 6e issued the 1oti+e o/ Violation.

SMC is ?ust +on+o+ting so man2 /alse allegations to +o,er up its misdeeds and

disregard to the pro5lems o/ siltation) in+luding /iling administrati,e and +riminal +ases

to respondent so that the2 +an gi,e a strong signal to regulator2 agen+ies and its

o//i+ers that an25od2 6ho +ross their 6a2 6ill su//er the same /ate as m2sel/. Fhat a

sho6 o/ naed po6erJ But ( am not impressed o/ ho6 the2 handled the en,ironment

pro5lems.

Our a+tions are all 5ased on the Re,ised Pro+edural Manual o/ *%O ;#-#)

the implementing rules and regulations o/ Mala+anang %dmistrati,e Order 1o &;) under

P.*. "$' or the E(S S2stems


17/34

17

2 - T!" I"#$ N%. 14 %& "# '%$()!*+"0>On Mar+h !) ;!) rea+ting to SMCHs

Motion /or Re+onsideration) respondent replied that the motion 6ill 5e resol,ed a/ter

,alidation o/ all MMT monitoring reports.@

T* !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" * that as a reDuirement o/ the

Om5udsman) letters and +ommuni+ations in+luding Motions /or Re+onsiderations shall

5e a+no6ledged 6ithin a time/rame. Fe +omplied 6ith this reDuirement.

EMBIRespondent in/ormed SMC that their Motion /or Re+onsideration 6ill 5e

resol,ed a/ter the monitoring and ,alidation o/ all reports.

(n the resolution o/ the en,ironmental +ases denominated as *E1R Case 1o.

'!-%1T-!!!!-& in ,iolation o/ P.*. "$$ or the E(S S2stems One Visa2as Clinate Change Summit@ on Ma2

""-";) ;! that 6e 6ill hold the te+hni+al +on/eren+e in her o//i+e in San ose) %ntiDue

to resol,e pea+ea5l2 the raging issue on siltation in Semirara (sland.

The media) the Green 8orum and its e3perts /rom UP Visa2as ha,e gone to

Semirara (sland to inspe+t the siltation as +omplained o/ 52 some residents o/ Sitio

Bigo) Baranga2 %legria) Culasi) %ntiDue.

But) 5e+ause ( 6as reassigned to EMB-:() *a,ao Cit2 through Spe+ial Order 1o.

;!-& e//e+ti,e Ma2 ";) ;!) 6e 6ere not a5le to +all /or a te+hni+al +on/eren+e.

4o6e,er) the ne6 Regional *ire+tor o/ EMB-' +ould do that in order to resol,e the

+ase.

2 - T!" I"#$ N%. 15 %& "# '%$()!*+"0>@RespondentHs statement in his letter

repl2 that he 6ill de+ide SMCHs Motion /or Re+onsideration on the 5asis o/ the MMT

report 6as /alse and issued in e,ident 5ad /aith 5e+ause as earl2 as 8e5ruar2 ") ;!)


18/34

18

respondent has alread2 pre?udged SMCHs +ulpa5ilit2 6hen he re+ommended to the

Pollution %d?udi+ation Board P%B +losure o/ SMCHs +oal 6ashing plant.@

T* !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" * that SMC is ?ust hallu+inating o/ 5ad

things. Ma25e the2 ha,e a6aened a morning 6ith 5ad dreams) 5eing hounded 6ith the

siltation pro5lem.

Our 5asis o/ the endorsement to the Pollution %d?udi+ation Board P%B 6as a/ter

due pro+ess in the Regional le,el had 5een +ompleted 6ith a single purpose not to add

siltation and pollution to Suha Cree and shoreline o/ Sitio Suha and other parts o/ the

sea.

Our 5asis also)6ere the +omplaints and testimonies o/ parti+ipants in the

te+hni+al +on/eren+e held on anuar2 #) ;!.

The P%B) a Duasi-?udi+ial +ourt resol,es +ases under R.%. !;$ or the Philippine

Fater %+t.

The Clean Fater %+t has relationship 6ith P.*. "$' or the E(S S2stems h Undertaing a+ti,ities or de,elopment and e3pansion o/ pro?e+ts

Or operating 6aste6aterIse6erage /a+ilities in ,iolation o/ P.*.

"$' and its implementing rules and regulations.@

%s stated in the pre+eding (tem 1o "&) that ( 6as reassigned to EMB-:()

*a,ao Cit2) that is 6h2 6e 6ere not a5le to a5le to de+ide on SMCHs Motion /or

Re+onsideration. The ne6 Regional *ire+tor +ould +all /or te+hni+al +on/eren+e prior

+oming up 6ith a resolution o/ the +ase.

4en+e) their is no /alse and e,ident 5ad /aith on m2 part.

T!" I"#$ N% 16 %& "# '%$()!*+"0>On Mar+h ;) ;!) the MMT has /inall2 put

the issue to rest in its report +on/irming that there is in /a+t no siltation in Baranga2 Bigo

as +laimed and that the allegations in the petition o/ the Bigo residents 6ere all

>/alsi/i+ation.@


19/34

19

T* !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that EMBIRespondent does not rel2

on the Report o/ the MMT as the means to an end o/ resol,ing en,ironmental +ases. (t

is onl2 one o/ the 5ases o/ our de+ision. This is a5surd i/ 6e 6ill ?ust hear the side o/ the

MMT. 4o6 +an 2ou +ome up 6ith a sound and intelligent de+ision i/ 2ou 6ill ?ust 5ase

the MMTHs report. Fe 6ill again 5e su5?e+ted to la6 suit 6ithout hearing other sides o/

the issues.

Under the Re,ised Pro+edural Manual o/ *%O ;#-#) implementing rules and

regulations o/ Mala+anang %dministrati,e Order 1o. &; under P.*. "$' or the E(S

S2stems


20/34

20

T!" I"#$ N%. 17 %& "# '%$()!*+"0>Up to this time) respondent has not issued

an2 resolution on SMCHs Motion /or Re+onsideration 5ased on and despite his re+eipt o/

the Mar+h ;) ;! MMT Report.@

T* !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that Respondent 6ould lie to

+omment on the issues o/ SMCHs Motion /or Re+onsideration dated ;' 8e5ruar2 ;!.

". The 1oti+e and Order 6ere issued 6ithout due pro+ess and in ,iolation o/ the

Pro,isions o/ the Rules and Regulations (mplementing (mplementing P.*.

"$') %dm. Order *%O 1o. #-"!!' as amended 52 *%O 1o. ;#-#.

To re/resh /rom pre+eding e3plainations) EMBIRespondent a+ted upon re+eipt o/

the +omplaint /rom some residents o/ Sitio Bigo) Baranga2 %legria) Semirar (sland) a

letter /rom the Pro,in+e o/ %ntiDue to the O//i+e o/ the President) the O//i+e o/ the

Senate President) to the o//i+e o/ Congress and Se+retar2 o/ *E1R.

Based on the Re,ised Pro+edural Manual o/ *%O ;#-#) M%O &;) P.*."$' or

the Phil. E(S S2stems


21/34

21

Then EMBIRespondent issued a 1oti+e o/ Violation and Order o/ 8ine on

8e5ruar2 ") ;!.

SMC /iled a Motion /or Re+onsideration on 8e5ruar2 ;') ;!. Their Motion /or

Re+onsideration 6as a+no6ledged 52 EMB-' on Mar+h !) ;!. Their Motion is still

pending /or de+ision and 6ill 5e de+ided a/ter all reports had 5een properl2 dis+ussed

and deli5erated.

%pparentl2) 52 the a/ore-+ited /a+tual ante+edents and /ollo6ing the pro,isions o/

the Pro+edural Manual o/ *%O ;#-#) it +an 5e gleaned and dedu+ed that the o//i+e

has gi,en SMC to e3plain their side and a++orded their right to due pro+ess.

(n administrati,e pro+eedings) it is not ne+essar2 that it should 5e trial-t2ped

pro+eeding. The essen+e o/ due pro+ess +an 5e +omplied 52 gi,ing SMC an opportunit2

to 5e heard. The Supreme Court in the leading +ase o/ 1a,arro ((( ,s. *amas+o) ;&'

SCR% ;') pro,ides) ,iA7

>The essen+e o/ due pro+ess is simpl2 an opportunit2 to 5e heard

%nd a /ormal or trial-t2ped hearing is not at all times and in all instan+es essential.@

(nasmu+h) as SMC had parti+ipated a+ti,el2 in the te+hni+al +on/eren+e +alled /or

this purpose) the2 +ould not Duestion that the2 6ere not a//orded the right to due

pro+ess. Moreo,er) inasmu+h as SMC ,oluntaril2 +on/ormed to the ECC +onditions it is

a3iomati+ that SMC should +ompl2 the same in good /aith 5e+ause their /ailure to do so

6ill result to the imposition o/ +orresponding san+tionsIpenalties. The em5odied

+onditions in the ECC are not rhetori+s) 5ut +ommitments that should 5e /ollo6ed in

order to prote+t the en,ironment. The non-+omplian+e thereo/) 6ill 5e understood as

la+ o/ apath2 o/ SMC to6ards the en,ironment and should 5e penaliAed a++ordingl2.

( +ould no longer issue a resolution to the +ase at 5ar or to SMCHs Motion /or

Re+onsideration 5e+ause ( am no longer the O(C) Regional *ire+tor o/ EMB-'.

Besides) the +ase then during m2 6at+h 6as still on pro+ess.


22/34

22

T!" I"#$ N%. 1/ %& "# '%$()!*+"0> RespondentHs mani/est 5ias and e,ident

5ad /aith is /urther sho6n /rom his un/air pu5li+ation on %pril "&) ;! in the Philippine

*ail2 (nDuirer P*( o/ his internal Memorandum to the P%B 6hi+h pu5li+l2 +ondemned

SMC o/ polluting Semirara (slandHs 6aters and mangro,es 6ith nar2 a 6ord a5out

MMTHs earlier /indings on Mar+h ;) ;! +ompletel2 5el2ing said ne6s report 8e5ruar2

") ;!.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" *that ( 6as not the one 6ho +aused

the pu5li+ation nor authoriAed the pu5li+ation in the Philippine *ail2 (nDuirer P*( o/ our

Memorandum to the P%B. The Memorandum ( presume 6as gi,en 52 *r. Samson 1.

Guillergan) Chie/) Pollution Control Management Spe+ialist) EMB-' to Mr. Mel,in

PurAuelo o/ Green 8orum. Mr. PurAuelo might ha,e gi,en the Memorandum to Mr.

1estor Burgos) +orrespondent o/ P*( 6ho +aused the pu5li+ation.

P*( has gi,en SMC an eDual spa+e and +o,erage on %pril "!) ;! pu5li+ation

6hen the2 pu5lished an arti+le entitled) > Coal 8irm prepares suit ,s. *E1R e3e+.@

%nne3 "!.

The Memorandum is a pu5li+ re+ord and an2 interested part2 ha,e a++ess to it.

4en+e) there is no mani/est 5ias and e,ident 5ad /aith on m2 part.

T!" I"#$ N%. 1 %& "# '%$()!*+"0 >RespondentHs un/air and oppressi,e

+ondu+t is lie6ise e,ident 6hen he /urnished e,en *epartment o/ Energ2 *OE

Se+retar2 %ngelo Re2es 6ho is not his superior a +omplete sta// 6or CSF o/ SMCHs

alleged improper mining operations in Semirara in an o5,ious attempt to 5esmir+h or

in?ure SMCHs standing 5e/ore the said go,ernment agen+2.@

T* !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" * that 5ased on the re,ised Pro+edural

Manual o/ *%O ;#-#) implementing rules and regulations o/ M%O &;) P* "$'

%dministrati,e (n,estigation 6e +an re/er to an2 go,ernment agen+2 that has a mandate

6ith the operation o/ the pro?e+t in relation to P.*. "$'.

The go,ernment agen+2 that regulates energ2 pro?e+ts is the *OE) not the Mines

0 Geo-S+ien+es Bureau MGB o/ the *E1R. The *OE should 5e e,en 5e represented

in the MMT.

SMC must understand that all go,ernment agen+ies has >+ommon) 5ut

di//erentiated responsi5ilities.@


23/34

23

(n /a+t *OE 6rote us a letter dated %pril ;! regarding en,ironmental

pro5lems in the +ase o/ 1orth 1egros Geothermal Pro?e+t-Energ2 *e,elopment

Corporation 11GP-E*C asing reports /or their re/eren+e and appropriate a+tions.

%nne3".

4en+e) it is a shallo6 reason /or SMC to +harge me o/ un/air and oppressi,e

+ondu+t 52 /urnishing a +op2 o/ the +omplete sta// 6or to *OE.

T!" I"#$ N%. 2 *+ "# '%$()!*+"0>(t is Duite o5,ious that respondentHs hostilit2

to6ards SMC 6as in retaliation /or SMCHs re/usal to a++ede to respondentHs inordinate

interest to +ontrol the MMT and its /unds.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" * that SMC is ?ust +on+o+ting a +o+tail

o/ lies in desperation to 5end m2 6ill to prote+t and +onser,e the en,ironment and

natural resour+es. But it is m2 dut2) nothing more and nothing lessJ

( do not no6 6here the2 got the idea that ( 6ant to +ontrol the /unds o/ MMT. (/ it

6as our proposal to amend the MO% and +reate an E3e+uti,e Committee E:ECOMthen this a mispla+ed and horri5le assumption to +ontrol the /unds.

Fe handled 5ig pro?e+ts) su+h as) the 1e6 (lolio %irport *e,elopment Pro?e+t

1(%*P in (loilo Cit2) the 1e6 Ba+olod Sila2 %irport *e,elopment Pro?e+t in Sila2 Cit2)

1egros O++idental) the (loilo 8lood Control Pro?e+t in (loilo Cit2 and the 11GP-E*C

Pro?e+t in the Muni+ipalit2 o/ Mur+ia and Bago Cit2) 1egros O++idental. ( a+ted as

Chairperson) 5ut ( did not +ontrol the /unds 5e+ause the E:ECOM is lie a +ollegial

5od2 that issues and agenda are thoroughl2 dis+ussed and through +onsensus 5e/ore a

de+ision is made on mone2 matters or an2 a+ti,it2 6ithin the mandate o/ the E:ECOM.

The one 6ho handles the /unds is a 8und Manager 6hi+h is usuall2 a Third Part2

6here a++ounting and dis5ursement o/ the /unds are made. E3penditures are 5ased on

For and 8inan+ial Plan 6hi+h is appro,ed 52 the Chairperson 5ut had undergone

dis+ussion in the E:ECOM.

E,en the En,ironmental Guarantee 8und EG8 is also handled 52 a Third Part2

and the dis5ursement is through the EG8 Committee. The EMB Regional *ire+tor is

the +hairperson 5ut the de+ision is thoroughl2 and properl2 dis+ussed a/ter the pros and


24/34

24

+ons and ad,antages and disad,antages had 5een 6eighed do6n. (/ the EG8

Committee needs assistan+e /rom e3perts in +oming up 6ith reasona5le pa2ment o/

damages) 6e reDuest assistan+e /rom go,ernment agen+ies 6ho are e3perts on the

/ield.

That is 6h2) the pa2ment o/ damages is /ast) /air and eDuita5le. Mostl2 a//e+ted

parties are satis/ied.

4en+e) the allegation o/ SMC that ( am hostile to6ards them 5e+ause ( am

interested to handle the /unds is o//-tangent) +ruel and de5ased o/ proper 5earing. This

is +ondemna5le.

T!" I"#$ N%. 21 *+ "# '%$()!*+"0>SMC is a pu5li+l2-listed +ompan2 and its

shares o/ sto+s are a+ti,el2 traded in the Philippine Sto+ E3+hanges. RespondentHs

oppressi,e) un/air andIor unreasona5le +ondu+t) his mani/est 5ias and 5ad /aith has

5esmir+hed the re/utation o/ and +aused undue in?ur2 to SMC /or 6hi+h respondent

should 5e held administrati,el2 andI+riminall2 lia5le /or gross mis+ondu+t and /or

,iolation o/ Se+tion # e o/ the anti-Gra/t and Corrupt Pra+ti+es %+t R% #"!.@

T# !))#!"*%+ * #+*# !+ "# "" * that pu5li+l2-listed +ompanies)

in+luding SMC) is su5?e+t to e+onomi+ and maret /or+es. SMCHs 5usiness is +oal

mining 6hi+h is ,ulnera5le to e+onomi+ and maret /or+es not onl2 in the Philippines)

5ut in a glo5al +onte3t.

The United States o/ %meri+aHs e+onom2 had plunged into lo6 6hi+h is

eDui,alent to re+ession. apan) Britain and some European +ountries are e3perien+ing

di//i+ulties in its e+onomies and their sto+s marets had plunged do6n to lo6 end o/

the sto+ maret inde3. China is also e3perien+ing e+onomi+ di//i+ulties 5e+ause o/

glo5al e+onomi+ do6nturn.

Can SMCHs 5usiness 5e not a//e+ted= Fh2 5lame others /or its 6oes) i/ the2 are

in di//i+ult situation=

There are so man2 /a+tors that a//e+t the shares o/ sto+s to go do6n) 5ut most

o/ all it is the e+onomi+ and maret /or+es. Others is ho6 the +ompan2 manage itsel/.


25/34

25

SMC should not +laim that the2 should 5e e3empted in +ompl2ing 6ith

en,ironmental la6s 5e+ause the2 are pu5li+l2-listed +ompan2. The2 are not immune

nor e3empted in +ompl2ing en,ironmental la6s. E,en San Miguel Corporation) Ba+olod

Cit2) a pu5li+l2-listed +ompan2 6as penaliAed 52 the P%B 6hen the2 emitted ammonia

into the atmosphere. (n /a+t the2 paid a penalt2 to the P%B. %nne3 "".

E*C a pu5li+ listed +ompan2 paid the damages that 6as +aused to the /armers

6hen the2 a++identall2 dis+harged their geothermal 6aste. The +ase 6as resol,ed 52

the EG8 Committee and the2 6illingl2 paid the damages and it 6as a++epted 52 the

/armers 6ithout Duestions.

SMC should not 5e onion-sinned) 5ut the 5est antidote is to +ompl2 6ith all

en,ironmental la6s 5e+ause 2ou are not alone in this 6orld) 5ut there are other people

6ho su//ers the 5urden o/ pollution) a s+ourge o/ the modern 6orld 6ith irresponsi5le

and greed2 people. %s Gandhi had said) >There is su//i+ien+2 in the 6orld /or manHs

need 5ut not /or manHs greed.@

Fe are also reminded o/ a sa2ing o/ an (ndian Chie/) >Onl2 6hen 6e ha,e +ut all

the trees) poisoned all the ri,ers and /ished out the seas) 6ill 6e suddenl2 realiAe that6e +annot eat mone2.@

4en+e) EMB-'IRespondent) did not 5esmir+hed the re/utation nor +ause undue

in?ur2 to SMC that ( 6ill 5e +harged administrati,el2 andIor +riminall2 /or gross

mis+ondu+t 5e+ause ( a+ted in a++ordan+e to the norms and reDuirements o/ the la6s)

rules) regulations) pro+edures and poli+ies enun+iated 52 the *E1R and the Repu5li+ o/

the Philippines.

Veri/i+ation o/ SMC

(tem 1o. & >That ( ha,e not +ommen+ed an2 other a+tion andIor pro+eeding

in,ol,ing the same or similar issues in an2 +ourt) tri5unal or Duasi-?udi+ial agen+2) and

to the 5est o/ m2 no6ledge) no su+h a+tion or pro+eeding is pending 5e/ore the +ourt)

tri5unal or Duasi-?udi+ial agen+2 and i/ ( should +ome to learn later o/ an2 su+h pending

a+tion or pro+eeding) ( shall report this /a+t to this 4onora5le O//i+e 6ithin /i,e $ da2s

/rom thereo/.@

SMC should realiAe that EMB-*E1R) an administrati,e 5od2 had +ommen+ed

pro+eeding o/ the en,ironment +ase 5eing +omplained o/ in the Om5udsman 52 him.

EMB-*E1R-' had issued 1oti+e o/ %lleged Violation and SMC ans6ered said noti+e.


26/34

26

EMB-*E1R had +alled /or a te+hni+al and the2 ans6ered 6ith a Motion /or

Re+onsideration. (n their +omplaint-a//ida,it the2 6ere Duestioning 6h2 6e ha,e not

+ame up to resol,e the +ase.

EMB-*E1R-' had endorsed the 6ater pollution +ase to the Pollution %d?udi+ation

Board P%B) a Duasi-?udi+ial +ourt. The P%B had +ommen+ed the +ase 6hen it heard

said +ase in Clar 8ield) Pampanga on %pril ;!) ;!.

4en+e) SMC a/ter the2 +erti/ied is guilt2 o/ /orum-shopping.

T# %*+" I+(#'"*%+ R#(%"

B "# EMB-6 !+ CENRO C)!*

This oint (nspe+tion 6as +ondu+ted on %pril "'-") ;! to determine the

siltation pro5lem as 6as +omplained 52 some residents o/ Sitio Bigo) Baranga2 %legria)

Cau2a) %ntiDue.

8indings and o5ser,ations7

". The 6ashing plant 6as not in operation due to trou5le in the pump. (t 6as

o5ser,ed that the 6ashing plant 6as pro,ided 6ith e3isting siltation ponds

6ith additional o/ one " pond ha,ing a dimension o/ appro3imatel2 & meters

6ide) " meters length and ; meters depth. The /irst pond o/ the se,en ponds

6as o5ser,ed /ull o/ silts and alleged 52 the PCO this 6ill 5e desilted.

;. Faste6ater sample 6as +olle+ted at the sump pit ser,ing the 6ashing plant

5e/ore pumping the same to the ponds lagoons and the e//luent +oming out o/

the last pond.


27/34

27

+lass >*@ Suha +ree is un+lassi/ied 6ater 5od2 6ater pursuant to Ta5le ;5 o/

*%O !-#$ >Re,ised E//luent Regulation o/ "!!) Re,ising and %mending the

E//luent Regulations o/ "!;.@

Sample taen "$ meters do6nstream o/ the ?un+tion ha,e a ,alue o/ ;!; mgIl

6hile "$ to ; meters /rom the mouth has a ,alue o/ "'' mgIl in terms o/

TSS.

#. T6o ; units emergen+2 ponds 6ere also noted +onstru+ted parallel to

Ba2ong Cree 6hi+h are used /or emergen+2 purposes.

&. The 6aste dump 6as o5ser,ed at the northeastern side appro3imatel2 $ to

" meters /rom the 6ashing plant. (t 6as lie6ise noted that there are t6o ;

mounds o/ +oal 6aste 6hi+h are 5oth ad?a+ent to the em5anment o/ Ba2ong

Cree and higher ele,ation that the 6ashing plant. %++ording to the PCO) the

mound 6hi+h is lo+ated at the /arthest distan+e are the 6aste /rom the operation

o/ the pre,ious +ompan2 6hile the one that is nearer to the 6ashing plant is the

re+ent 6aste generated 5e the present generator SMC. (t 6as o5ser,ed that

hauling o/ the old 6aste 6as undertaen during inspe+tion. Portion o/ the mound

ne6 6aste has alread2 5een remo,ed ha,ing a distan+e o/ appro3imatel2 #

meters along the em5anment o/ Ba2ong Cree. (t 6as noted that no di,ersion

+anal nor an2 mitigation measure 6as pro,ided along the em5anment o/

Ba2ong Cree to pre,ent the erosion /rom the 6aste mound to 5e +arried o,er

52 6ater to6ards the +ree nor di,ersion +anal to di,ert silt laden 6ater to6ards

the emergen+2 pond during hea,2 do6npour.

$. The +lean +oal sto+pile area ad?a+ent to and at the 6estern side o/ the

6ashing plant 6as o5ser,ed pro,ided 6ith retaining 6all made o/ +on+rete 6ith

a height appro3imatel2 " meter and a length o/ more or less # meters.

'. % site ,isit 6as +ondu+ted at Sitio Bigo) Baranga2 %legria. %n inter,ie6 6ith

Mr. Gra+ito Pagia 6ith the presen+e o/ SMCHs Pollution Control O//i+er Engr.

anisto diaA that the2 had 5een +omplaining sin+e 2ear ; and that the2 had

ased the person in-+harge o/ the +ompan2Hs CSR /or them to see the top

management) 5ut nothing had happened.

The2 /urther alleged that the +ause o/ the tur5idit2 o/ the +oastal area and the

damaged o/ the mangro,es +omes /rom the 6ashing plant as it is 5eing operated

;& hours a da2. Fhen ased a5out the +ompan2Hs o//er /or a li,elihood


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Pangolong)the2 rea+ted that onl2 # persons 6ill 5e 5ene/ited /rom su+h

program. Fhat the2 are asing during the inter,ie6 6as /or the +ompan2 to stop

the siltation in the area that a//e+ts their li,elihood. gd. *e la Torre together 6ith

Brg2. Captain


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!. The reported esta5lished mangro,e plantation mostl2 planted to 5aa6an

spe+ies 6ere lie6ise ,eri/ied and ,alidatd on the ground.

1ote7 The +omplete and /ull report 6ith anne3es o/ the oint (nspe+tion

+ondu+ted on %pril "'-") ;! are in %nne3 ";.

E8!"*%+ %& A$*+*"!"*9# R#$#*#

SMCHs /iling a +omplaint-a//ida,it in the Om5udsman is dismissi5le outright

5e+ause the2 ha,e not e3hausted all administrati,e remedies 6hen in /a+t EMB-*E1R-

' had alread2 +ommen+ed the en,ironmental +ase under P.*. "$' or the Philippine

E(S S2stems


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s+alping o/ go,ernment /unds. ( earned m2 epts through s6eat and la5or. 1e,er ( ha,e

5een in,ol,ed in e3tortion) e,en asing monetar2 +onsideration in m2 ser,i+e to the

people.

1e,er ( ha,e 5een in,ol,e in mal,ersation) mal/easan+e andIor mis/easan+e nor

lethargi+ a+tions on en,ironmental +ases to prote+t the en,ironment.

C%+')*%+

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!#to indi+t me o/ administrati,e andIor +riminal

+ases as +omplained o/ 52 SMC 5e+ause7

There had 5een no gross mis+ondu+t +ommitted 52 me as alleged 52 SMC.

%++ording to the Court o/ %ppeals *e+ision in C%-G.R. SP 1o. ";" and C%-

G.R. SP 1o. ";# promulgated on anuar2 ;#) ;!7


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That the +omplaint 6as a+tion 52 EMB-' and 6ithin the 5ounds o/ the Re,ised

Pro+edural Manual.

E,en +onsidering the +omplainants 6ill retra+t EMB-' has still the reason to

+ontinue the +ase 5e+ause it a//e+ts the en,ironment 6hi+h is 6ithin the mandate o/

EMB.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

SMC +annot +laim that the +ause o/ siltation is due to /or+e ma?eure. (t 6as a

+ondition in the ECC that the2 ,iolated 52 not pla+ing 5arriers to pre,ent 6ashing o/

sto+piled +oal 6astes into Suha Cree and e,entuall2 or dire+t to the shoreline or to

the sea. 4en+e) our a+tions 6ere 5ased on legal 5ounds. SMCHs reason o/ /or+e

ma?eure is a 6ea ali5i.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

The report o/ Magtoto is so 5iased in /a,or o/ SMC ha,ing +on+entrated his

inspe+tion in the area that has no siltation and destru+tion o/ mangro,e. The o//shore

siltation is still part o/ Sitio Bigo) Baranga2 %legria) Semirara (sland) Calu2a) %ntiDue.

4is Magtoto is not the onl2 5asis /or resol,ing the siltation and 6ater pollution +ase.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

EMB-'IRespondent issued a 1oti+e o/ Violation and Order o/ 8ine a/ter

o5ser,ing due pro+ess. There Motion /or Re+onsideration is still to 5e heard and

de+ided upon.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

EMB-'IRespondent a+no6ledgement o/ SMCHs Motion /or Consideration is

not in 5ad /aith 5e+ause it is in +omplian+e to the Om5udsmanHs rules and 6e still ha,e

to +ondu+t a te+hni+al +on/eren+e to dis+uss all reports in+luding their motion.

Fe endorsed a Complete Sta// For as and in/ormation and re+ommendation

to the Pollution %d?udi+ation Board 5e+ause it is +o,ered under R.%. !;$ or the

Philippine Fater %+t.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0


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32

The report o/ the MMT is not the de+iding /a+tor in our de+ision. (t is onl2 part o/

the 6hole pro+ess.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

EMB-'IRespondent has to +ondu+t te+hni+al +on/eren+e prior +oming up 6ith a

resolution on SMCHs Motion /or Re+onsideration.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

The pu5li+ation in the Philippine *ail2 (nDuirer P*( 6as not authoriAed 52 me

5ut it might ha,e 5een gi,en to the +orrespondent o/ P*( 52 Green 8orum /rom Chie/)

PC*.

The Memorandum is a pu5li+ re+ord.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

Fe /urnished a +op2 to *OE o/ the Complete Sta// For 5e+ause as go,ernment

regulator2 5od2 on energ2 pro?e+t it has a stae on the issue. %s go,ernment entit2 it

has a >+ommon) 5ut di//erentiated responsi5ilities.@

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

% pu5li+l2-listed +ompan2 lie SMC is su5?e+t to e+onomi+ and maret /or+es that

di+tates the rise and /all o/ its sto+s. Forld re+ession is a ma?or sour+e o/ sto+s to /all.

The 6orld e+onom2 is e3perien+ing do6nturn and it does not spare the Philippines.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

() the Respondent ha,e a+ted in good /aith and presumed regularit2 and is onl2

/ollo6ing *E1R poli+ies rules and regulations.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

The +ase under P.*. "$' or Philippine E(S S2stems


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33

The 6ater pollution +ase is under the mandate o/ the Pollution %d?udi+ation

Board and it should 5e remanded to them /or resolution.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

The2 should ha,e not sued me in m2 personal +apa+it2 5e+ause the a+tions

6ere pro+essed and passed the 5ureau+rati+ pro+edures through the sta// and

personnel and is a +olle+ti,e de+ision o/ the EMB-'. %ll these a+tions 6ere in o//i+ial

+apa+it2 5e+ause our a+tions 6ere 5ased on esta5lished la6s) rules and regulations)

poli+ies and mandates o/ the EMB-*E1R. There 6as no a5use o/ dis+retion and

authorit2.

T## * +% (%;!;)# '!# ;#'!#0

() the Respondent is not a +riminal /or prote+ting the en,ironment and natural

resour+es) 5ut those 6ho pollute the +rees and sea6ater) irresponsi5l2 ill the

mangro,es and a//e+t the li,elihood o/ others are the +riminals.

>Fith mali+e to6ards none) 6ith +harit2 /or all) 6ith /irmness

in the right as God gi,es us to see the right) let us /inish the 6or 6e

are in.@

A;!!$ L*+'%)+

(1 F(T4 F(T1ESS F4EREO8) ( ha,e signed the %//ida,it this 'th da2 o/ ul2

;! at *a,ao Cit2

BIENVENIDO L. LIPAYON

%//iant

SUBSCR(BE* %1* SFOR1 to 5e/ore me this da2 o/ ul2 ;! a//iant

e3hi5iting his Communit2 Ta3 Certi/i+ate 1o. "#'' on anuar2 ) ;! in

.

NOTARY PUBLIC


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*o+. 1o. 7

Page 1o. 7

Boo 1o. 7

Series o/ ;!

counter affidavit - semirara (final)

Documents