Ex-Pangasinan governor pleads not guilty to graft

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan -- Former Pangasinan governor Amado Espino Jr. pleaded not guilty to graft charges stemming from his alleged involvement in illegal black sand mining before the Sandiganbayan yesterday.

          Espino appeared before the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division to be arraigned and will now be tried along with his co-accused, including former provincial administrator Rafael Baraan and former Pangasinan Housing and Urban Development coordinating officer Alvin Bigay.

The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against Espino and the other respondents four months ago for their supposed roles in illegal black sand mining operations in the Lingayen Gulf.

A small-scale mining permit was allegedly issued in favor of Alexandra Mining in June 2011.

The mining permit was later cancelled and the firm was ordered to vacate the area.

         In August 2011, a memorandum of agreement was signed between Espino and Xypher Builders for the removal of metallic materials from the sand pile vacated by Alexandra Mining.

The ombudsman said Espino issued a mineral ore export permit in favor of the private firm which, along with Alexandra Mining, was not registered with the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board.

Graft investigators said the former governor and his co-accused should be held liable for authorizing unlawful magnetite extraction activities in favor of an unqualified contractor.