Aklan gov, Malay officials sued at Ombudsman over Boracay mess

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and 16 other municipal officials of Malay town have been sued for graft at the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday over their alleged negligence in the management of Boracay island.

Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III charged Miraflores for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of public officials and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The same administrative charges were also filed against Malay, Aklan Vice Mayor Abram Sualog, and Councilors Natalie Cawaling-Paredes, Jupiter Aelred Gallenero, Frolibar Bautista, Lloyd Maming, Dalidig Sumndad, Maylynn Aguirre-Graf, Danilo Delos Santos, and Dante Pagsuguiron.

Meanwhile, Densing said Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Valentin Talebero, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Sancho, licensing officer Jen Salsona, Barangay Yapak chairman Hector Casidsid, Barangay Manoc-Manoc chairperson Chona Gabay, and Barangay Balabag chairwoman Lilibeth Sacapano were charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Densing said Miraflores and the members of the municipal council neglected their duty in ensuring the cleanliness of the world-renowned island.

"Kumbaga siya (Miraflores) ang may general supervision over all component cities and municipalities in the province of Aklan. Sa pananaw namin hindi niya ito nagampanan kaya natin sinampahan ng administrative case," Densing said an interview with reporters.

"Pati po yung ating sangguniang bayan, vice mayor hanggang municipal councilors, they also exercised oversight functions over the mayor vis-a-vis implementation of their municipal ordinances," he added.

Densing also appealed for the Ombudsman to preventively suspend Miraflores and his co-respondents.

Densing said the charges stemmed from months of investigation by the DILG in Boracay, where they went door-to-door in more than 2,200 establishments to determine their compliance in government regulations.

"Sa aming nakita may mga nabigyan ng mayor's permit kahit kulang-kulang ang mga dokumento. Gayundin, may nakapag-operate ng walang Mayor's Permit at ito ay sakop ng mga barangay captains. Kung nakita nilang walang mayor's permit dapat sa ground pa lang hindi na nila pina-operate yung mga establishments," Densing said.

"Mayroon kaming na-inspection na 2,269 na establishments, 95 lamang ang fully compliant. Halos kalahati walang mayor's permit. I think 360 plus walang environmental compliance certificate. Mahigit kalahati ng mga establishments na ito walang SSS, BIR, Pag-ibig, so maski yung mga kababayan natin na nagtatrabaho wala silang benefits na nakukuha," he added.

Densing hinted the DILG will file more cases related to the mismanagement of Boracay island, saying they are also investigating the collection of environmental fees and where these were spent.

Densing said they also sought assistance from the Commission on Audit to determine any discrepancies in the local government's revenue from environmental fees.

"Nakakita kami ng discrepancy sa actual na nakolekta nila at sa aming estimate. Malinaw sa ordinansa ng munisipyo ng Malay na gagamitin lamang ito para sa mga environmental projects sa munisipyo ng Malay. 'Yun ang issue na kailangan tingnan ng COA," he said.

Boracay has been closed to tourists since April 26 after President Rodrigo Duterte called the island a “cesspool.” —KG, GMA News