SolGen, DENR find Aliping Jr. violation of PD 705, PEPO, Writ of Kalikasan
By: Nonnette C. Bennett, photos from SolGen order
Baguio City 21 October 2025 – The Solicitor General (SolGen) sent via electronic mail the Show-Cause Order issued to Nicasio Aliping Jr. for violating the Permanent Environmental Protection Order (PEPO) and the Writ of Kalikasan Order issued on May 6, 2015. This based on the findings of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) that substantial developments were observed within the property claimed by Nicasio Jr.
The SolGen noted in their letter dated 14 October 2025 in Makati City that “if the explanation is not meritorious, to CITE Nicasio Aliping Jr. IN CONTEMPT OF COURT, and ORDER the immediate demolition of the improvement at his expense.”
The Enforcement Division Personnel, Technical Services, DENR-CAR informed the Regional Executive Director DENR-CAR through a memorandum the investigation and monitoring report on the current status of the structures of Nicasio Aliping, Jr. within the Mount Sto. Tomas Forest Reserve that the wooden structure and galvanized iron (GI) sheet roofing measuring 9 meters by 22 meters requested for clearance for repairs in August 22, 2023 which was denied was a fully renovated house on December 18, 2024 made entirely of concrete and metal materials. The memorandum said that this was in contradiction to the original claim of mere repair.
The investigation conducted on April 7, 2025 confirmed that the site was fully developed which “constitutes a clear violation of the PEPO issued by the Court of Appeals on May 6, 2015.”
The Findings in the memorandum stated, “Given the substantial developments observed within the property of Mr. Nicasio Aliping, Jr. – who is the main respondent in the previous case Bishop Carlito J. Cenzon, et al. vs. Nicasio M. Aliping, Jr. et al. … it is concluded that Mr. Aliping has violated the standing court order.”
The recommendations of the Enforcement Division was for the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Baguio to issue a Notice of Violation and a Cease and Desist Order to Atty. Nicasio Aliping for violating Sec. 78 of PD 705; the PEPO and Writ of Kalikasan issued in 2015; and Sec. 20 (n) and (o) of RA 7586, as amended by RA 11038 or AN ACT DECLARING PROTECTED AREAS AND PROVIDING FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7586, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM (NIPAS) ACT OF 1992”, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
It also recommended that the Office of the Solicitor General and the CA be formally informed of the violation and that the DENR Legal Division be informed for any possible legal action. The signatories included: Maricel D. Paquitol, SFMS Enforcement Division; Aberly S. Benawe EMS II Enforcement Division; Roldan E. Caroy Computer Programmer I Enforcement Division; and Jayziel A. Pa-as, SI I Enforcement Division. This was noted by Atty. Charinne H. M. Abalos, Chief, Enforcement Division, Technical Services DENR.
Marie Balangue, the youngest of the petitioners of the Writ of Kalikasan expressed thanks to the working respondents of the DENR-CAR and the Solicitor General’s Office for the Supreme Court to cite Aliping, Jr. in contempt of Court, and to immediately demolish the developments introduced to his acquired land within the forest reserve.” This landmark case serves as an example for the country to keep to its goals and participatory governance. It must be understood that as no one is convicted, an olive branch had been offered by the Petitioners to help restore our environment for sustainable water sources,” said Balangue.
