Aklan mayor, 7 others face charges over Boracay resort row

MANILA, Philippines - A town mayor of Aklan province and seven others face administrative and criminal charges for allowing the construction of a hotel resort in a protected forestland in Boracay. The Ombudsman Field Investigation Office (FIO) forwarded for preliminary investigation administrative and criminal charges against the eight for graft and violating the forestry code. "If found guilty, they may face imprisonment of up to 15 years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the Government of any prohibited interest and unexplained wealth manifestly out of proportion to his salary and lawful income," the Ombudsman said in a press statement on its website. It identified the officials as Malay mayor Ceciron Cawaling, town engineer Elizer Casidsid, and zoning administrator Alma Belejerdo. The FIO also recommended that Cawaling, Casidsid and Belejerdo be placed under preventive suspension to facilitate the conduct of the investigation. Also recommended charged were Jesus King, Barbara King, Richard King, John King, and Rafael King, incorporators of of J. King and Sons Company, Inc., contractor of the project. They were charged for violating the anti-graft act, an act proclaiming certain areas as environmentally critical, and Presidential Decree No. 705 (Forestry Code). Cawaling, Casidsid and Belejerdo were recommended administratively charged for gross neglect of duty, gross misconduct, and conduct grossly prejudicial to the best interest of the service for their failure to stop the construction of Boracay Crown Regency. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the complainant in the case, said Boracay Crown Regency and Convention Center is being constructed on a piece of wetland which falls within the classification of protected areas by the DENR. DENR said J. King and Sons Company "did not comply with the requirements of Environmental Laws prior to the construction of the Boracay Crown Regency," and that the respondent local officials were "negligent in suspending the construction as likewise liable in the issuance of the building permits without the required Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC)." A physical assessment conducted by the Protected Areas and Wildlife Division of the DENR revealed that the said area is a wetland, as evidenced by the slightly saline or brackish waters, lush shrubs and mangroves, and the various species of fish found there. On the other hand, locals called the area "lasinan," or an area used for making salt, and is connected to the Dead Forest, an opening to the sea. The complaint also said the respondent local officials had been negligent in implementing Resolution No. 042 issued by the Sangguniang Bayan of Malay, which was issued in response to the DENR's call for a moratorium on new construction of structures/buildings in Boracay. Records showed the said resolution was enacted on September 26, 2007 and signed by Cawaling on October 10, 2007. Cawaling only directed Casidsid and Belejerdo to implement the said resolution on January 2, 2008. - GMANews.TV