Marinduque Governor Melecio “Mel” Go filed criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman regarding alleged irregularities surrounding a $100-million environmental settlement between the provincial government and Barrick Mining Corporation.
The complaints target former Vice Governor Adeline Angeles, eight members of the Provincial Board, lawyer Archivald De Mata, and the Salazar Enrile Defensor & De Mata Law Offices (SedaLaw). The controversy stems from the historic 1996 Marcopper mining disaster in the province.
The Contingency Fee Controversy
At the center of the dispute is a 25% contingency fee awarded to the law firm, amounting to $25 million (approximately P1.5 billion). Governor Go’s complaint challenges the legality of the firm’s hiring, pointing to an alleged lack of public bidding.
Certifications from the Bids and Awards Committee and the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) indicate a lack of supporting procurement records, calling into question Provincial Board Resolution No. 823, Series of 2023, which claimed that bidding had occurred.
Go further claimed that the respondents encroached upon his executive authority by issuing directives regarding the release of settlement funds. These funds—meant for environmental rehabilitation—were reportedly jeopardized after the Court of Appeals issued a writ of garnishment favoring the law firm.
Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) President Arsenio “Boy” Evangelista accompanied Governor Go to the Ombudsman and corroborated the findings regarding the missing public bidding process.
“Kapag walang konsultasyon, may corruption. Nakasaad yan sa batas,” Evangelista said.
The criminal complaints filed against the respondents include potential violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, usurpation of official functions, and falsification of public documents.
Meanwhile, the administrative charges cover grave misconduct, grave abuse of authority, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Governor Go stressed that the entire settlement must be safeguarded and dedicated strictly to environmental recovery and the welfare of Marinduque residents.
The broader dispute over the legal fees and the writ of garnishment is currently pending before the Supreme Court.