Woggle Corp. raised concerns on Wednesday over the legal basis of a temporary suspension of its exploration activities issued by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya province, warning the move undermines regulatory stability and investor confidence.
The company said images of the MGB Order were circulating publicly before it officially received the document on the morning of Feb. 11, 2026. While the company said it respects the authority of the MGB, it claimed the suspension lacks a valid legal or contractual foundation.
Woggle executives said the exploration permit is a government grant that confers specific rights and obligations protected by constitutional guarantees. The company maintains it has not violated any terms or conditions of the permit.
“Such grants are not mere privileges revocable without legal basis; they are governed by statutory standards, contractual principles, and the constitutional guarantee against impairment of obligations,” the company said in a statement.
The firm said that if the suspension is based on illegal barricades or political agitation by third parties, the government should not penalize a lawful permit holder. Woggle pointed out that a court has already ruled those barricades illegal and issued a writ of preliminary injunction.
Under the principle of force majeure, the company said unforeseen events beyond its control may excuse performance but should not extinguish vested rights. The company said the government cannot invoke force majeure when disruptive acts are caused by private groups, law enforcement remedies are available, and the government’s own “three notice rule” for due process was not followed.
The suspension risks creating a “dangerous precedent” where regulatory certainty depends on the loudest disruption rather than the rule of law, the company said.
The broader implications for the Philippine mining industry are significant, as the sector requires long investment horizons and predictable oversight. Woggle questioned what assurances investors have if permits can be overridden by external agitation.
The company also expressed concern for the economic impact on more than 1,200 employees and contractors at its Runruno operations in the same province.
Prolonged delays jeopardize local procurement, livelihoods and community development programs funded by the project, it said.
Woggle said it is reviewing administrative, contractual and constitutional remedies to protect its rights. The company called on the MGB to provide a clear legal basis for the suspension and to clarify under what authority force majeure was invoked.
The company said it remains committed to responsible exploration and environmental stewardship while seeking a prompt resolution in accordance with the law.
