2 weeks ago we reported on Chief Forest Officer John Pinelo, who was accused of accepting inducements from businessman and forester Cesar Godinez.
Screenshots of deposits Godinez sent to Pinelo's account have surfaced along with a company document showing Pinelo is a partner in one of Godinez's companies.
The Prime Minister said last week that he had ordered the CEO to conduct an investigation into this very serious allegation.
Yet, when we asked the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet about it today, he said that no official report has been made to the Ministry of his misconduct so the investigation has not progressed:
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"Yes, he was given instructions by the CEO to prepare a show-cause letter, and so he has prepared that and my understanding is that letter is supposed to be submitted to the CEO sometime today. Forward to that, then analysis will be made based on what he has presented on his letter and based on the allegations, because to date, one of the questions asked was that we have not received an official report from the person who is accusing him of wrongdoing. Yes, Mr. Pinelo is also on 2 weeks vacation; he has not been put on administrative leave because of the same situation that we have nothing concrete in regards to something official against him. Whether or not a decision will be made, I cannot tell until that investigation is complete. And so on whether I believe one or the other, that's not for me to say, and I do not want to influence in any way the outcome of the investigation."
