Judge, hurt by tag he was biased for Boracay property owners, recuses self from case vs demolition

ILOILO CITY—An allegation of bias was used by a judge to recuse himself from a case filed by owners of property in Boracay being demolished for encroachment, further delaying it.

In a two-page order on Nov. 18 yet, Judge Ronald Exmundo of the Kalibo Regional Trial Court Branch 7 said he was recusing himself from the case to cast off perception of bias against him.

The judge pointed to a motion filed by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), on behalf of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as proof he was being accused of partiality.

The OSG motion alleged that Exmundo showed bias for the property owners by issuing a temporary restraining order against the demolition of structures that violated a rule banning buildings, homes or stores within 30 meters of the beach.

Owners of at least 10 commercial and residential structures on Bulabog Beach were contesting the order to demolish the structures issued by the local government of Malay town, Aklan province which has jurisdiction over the world-famous resort island.

The order was being enforced by the Boracay Inter-Agency Rehabilitation Management Group, which is led by the DENR.

The property owners denied that their structures were within 30 meters of the beach in violation of the easement rule.

Edited by TSB