Brooke’s Point Mayor Cesareo Benedito Jr. refused to sign Sangguniang Bayan Resolution 2025-251, which supports the renewal of the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) Clearance of Ipilan Nickel Corporation.
He said in a letter dated November 4 and addressed to Vice Mayor Mary Jean Felicinao that there were issues in the renewal and strong opposition from indigenous communities in areas affected by mining.
Benedito said his decision was based on what he called “inconsistency and insufficient harmonization between the proposed SEP renewal and our currently adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).”
He also noted the protest of residents and local groups who sent a petition to the council. He added that his office may face a conflict of interest because the company recently filed a case against him.
“I am currently a respondent in a legal case filed by the Ipilan Nickel Corporation with Case Details SCA No. 23-0008 For Mandamus, Certiorari and Prohibition under RTC-Branch 165,” he said.
Vice mayor Mary Jean Feliciano called the mayor’s move a welcome step and said it showed support for efforts to protect the town’s environment.
“Mayor Jun, maraming salamat po sa inyong suporta sa aming pinaglalaban para sa karapatan at kapakanan na ating bayan at sa pangmatagalang pangangalaga ng ating kalikasan,” she said.
Residents in Brooke’s Point shared mixed reactions after the mayor declined to sign the resolution.
Julhakim Godoy of Barangay Ipilan, a long-time supporter of mining, said the resolution remains strong because it was already approved by the majority of the council.
But they respect the reasons given by the mayor.
“Kahit naman hindi pirmahan ni mayor yon ay naisumite na at matibay na resolusyon na sinangayunan ng nakararaming kagawad. Sa bahagi naman namin sumusuporta sa pro-development may pagkilos naman pong gagawin,” he said.
Godoy added that the company has supported communities through its Social Development Management Program.
Rowena Combang of Barangay Mambalot, who opposes mining, said the mayor’s refusal has no real effect unless the council withdraws the endorsement.
“Wala din palang dapat ipagpasalamat kay Mayor Jun dahil tumanggi lang siyang pumirma pero hindi nya rin na veto ang resolution. Wala pa ring saysay ang mga boses ng mga mamamayan dahil kapag hindi binawi ng 7 SB ang endorsement ay wala din saysay ang hindi nya pag pirma,” she said.
Former councilor and anti-mining advocate Victor Colili confirmed this, saying the mayor’s action is not a veto and therefore the resolution still stands.
He said the Local Government Code treats a resolution as approved if the mayor takes no action within the allowed period. He described the move as a possible silent approval.
“Maraming beses na tayong nabudol kaya huwag tayo magbunyi at magpasalamat agad agad baka pinagtatawanan lang tayo sa mga secret deal na nagaganap, uso ngayon ang secret at silent reversal and acquittal, kaya posible din ang secret at silent approval. Tumindig lang tayo sa kung ano ang isinasaad ng Batas,” he said.
