John Pinelo had been serving as Acting Chief Forest Officer before going on leave in mid-June after being accused of bribery and extortion by businessman Cesar Godinez. Four weeks later, he has returned to work but is now back in his substantive role as Deputy Forest Officer.
In recent weeks, Godinez made claims which were contradicted by Pinelo according to Minister Orlando Habet. But what made the Deputy come back? We asked Landy:
Reporter-
"Has the investigation been completed?"
Voice of: Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"Practically, yes. The report that we received was reviewed by a small committee along with the Chief Executive Officer. That investigation was based on the official report. We can't go on what was on the media. There's no living proof. As you know, if you don't have, if you get something that is just by word of mouth, doesn't have as much value as if you get something that is written with a signature. So he has returned to work. He will operate as the Deputy Chief Forest Officer. And then the Ministry will make the recommendation to the Public Service. The Public Service communicates with the Public Services Commission. And hopefully pretty soon we can get somebody appointed as acting Chief Forest Officer until we get a Chief Forest Officer."
Reporter-
"So the position won't be given to him?"
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"Not as yet, no."
Reporter-
"He can apply or is it that he's been discounted as?"
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"No, no, no, he can apply. And the Public Services Commission will decide whether or not he qualifies for getting that position."
Reporter-
"So that committee cleared him of any wrongdoing?"
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"Maybe not as put it in those words. I think that there's not enough evidence provided."
And while the Minister said there was not enough evidence provided and called the media reports hearsay, we showed multiple screenshots and documentary evidence which offer proof of Godinez's claim.
In his letter of complaint to the Forestry Department, Godinez also says, quote, "I am in possession of evidence to support my complaints. I can be reached at my cell number." They never reached out to him.
