Aklan mayor dismissed over Boracay

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday served a dismissal order against Malay, Aklan Mayor Cicero Cawaling for grave misconduct and other offenses that led to the environmental degradation of Boracay Island.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the order was implemented in connection with a decision from the Office of the Ombudsman which found Cawaling guilty of gross neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a public official and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Also meted with the same penalty was the town’s licensing officer, Jen Salsona.

Aside from forfeiture of retirement benefits, Cawaling and Solsona are perpetually disqualified from holding other posts in government.

Año said the ombudsman found substantial evidence against the two officials for allowing some establishments in Boracay to operate without the necessary fire safety inspection certificate and other permits, including a municipal ordinance requiring a 30-meter easement from the shoreline.

Their offenses violate Republic Act 7160 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“By not implementing this ordinance, Cawaling violated Section 444 (b) (2) of Republic Act 7160, which commands him to enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the Municipality of Malay,” Año said in a statement, quoting a portion of the ombudsman’s decision.

The cases against other officials, including Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores, were dismissed for lack of substantial evidence.