DILG chief to recommend disqualification of local execs in Boracay mess from 2019 polls

Interior and Local Government (DILG) officer-in-charge Eduardo Año on Wednesday said he would recommend to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) the disqualification of officials supposedly linked to the Boracay mess from the 2019 midterm elections.

"We will submit our proposal recommendation to the Comelec, kung pupuwedeng idisqualify 'yung mga candidates, 'yung sa last time kasi mga barangay officials so this time marami-rami ito," Año told reporters.

"I mean candidates from provincial government down to municipal. If the Comelec would approve it, they are disqualified," he added.

Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and 16 other municipal officials of Malay town have been sued for graft before the Office of the Ombudsman due to their alleged negligence in the management of Boracay island, which resulted in its temporary closure last April.

DILG 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.

The famous tourist destination will be reopened on October 26 in which tourists will now be limited to 6,405 per day. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News