By Alexandria San Juan
Nearly four months after being tagged in the Boracay Island mess, the case filed against 17 Aklan officials for neglect of duty is still pending at the Office of the Ombudsman while the world-renowned island is set to reopen to the public this month.
Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said that criminal and administrative complaints against the Aklan officials linked to the degradation of the paradise island were already filed at the Ombudsman.
"Our hope is that they will act on it with dispatch. We have provided all the evidences necessary to prove our case and it's now up to the Ombudsman," Malaya said.
Last June, the DILG filed a graft complaint against Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling, Aklan environment officer Valentin Talabero, Malay environment officer Edgardo Sancho, Malay municipal licensing officer Jen Salsona, Barangay Yapak Chairman Hector Casidsid, Barangay Manocmanoc Chairperson Chona Gabay, and Barangay Balabag Chairperson Lilibeth Sacapaño.
An administrative complaint was filed against Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores, Malay Vice Mayor Abram Sualog, Malay council members Natalie Cawaling-Paderes, Jupiter Gallenero, Frolibar Bautista, Lloyd Maming, Dalidig Sumndad, Maylynn Aguirre-Graf, Danilo Delos Santos, and Dante Pagsuguiron.
The named officials were accused for neglect of duty causing numerous environmental woes that led to the six-month rehabilitation closure of the major tourist destination.
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III earlier said that the charges filed does not include the alleged anomalous transaction collected from the environmental fees of Boracay in the last five years.
Meanwhile, DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año recently said that they are also seeking to disqualify these officials in the 2019 midterm elections.
The DILG Chief said they will submit the proposal to the Commission on Elections for review.