Mayor ruling Boracay sued for graft
By Jocelyn Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:40:00 05/15/2008
MANILA, Philippines – Malay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling is facing a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman for his failure to control the construction frenzy on Boracay Island.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources included municipal engineer Elizer Casidsid and the board of directors of construction firm, J. King and Sons Company, Inc., in its complaint filed Thursday.
The firm is the developer of the multi-million Boracay Regency Hotel and Convention Center, which was being constructed on a reclaimed timberland and wetland, contrary to environmental laws, according to the DENR.
Undue advantage
In its four-page complaint, the agency accused Cawaling of giving undue advantage to the company saying that Casidsid, under his authority, issued building, electrical, sanitary and plumbing permits despite a moratorium on construction projects on the island.
Both officials were charged with violation of Republic Act No. 3019, or the antigraft law, and Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees.
Heeding the order of Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, the municipal council enacted a resolution in September last year calling for a suspension of all construction projects in Boracay for six months, or until an environmental master plan of Boracay has been completed.
The resolution was enforced last January.
Abuse of authority
According to the complaint, the firm filed an application for an environmental compliance certificate for the Crown Regency before the DENR Environmental Management Bureau-Region 6.
But the bureau did not approve the application in view of the moratorium. The agency wrote several letters to Cawaling reminding him of the moratorium, said the DENR.
The agency also asked the mayor to suspend the building permit issued to J. King following reports that trucks were seen unloading earth materials on the project site.
“We have already exhausted all means to get the mayor to perform his task but he abused his authority,” said Environment Secretary Lito Atienza in a press conference Thursday.
‘Boracay is not his’
Atienza said he personally observed that the construction “was still in full swing” on the island when he came to the premiere island resort for a visit last month.
“Boracay is not his. It is every Filipino’s property... the construction must be stopped until the national government and the stakeholders have approved the new master plan,” he added.
The master plan was being drawn up in a bid to avert the deterioration of the island brought about by non-stop construction activities in the area.
It would put in place a “comprehensive strategy” in keeping excellent air and water quality, efficient solid waste and flood control management on the island, a favorite vacation spot because of its white beaches.
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