Malay, Aklan mayor suspended on eve of Boracay re-opening

The Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of Malay, Aklan Mayor Cicero Cawaling for six months in connection with the alleged environment degradation, pollution and congestion in Boracay.

Cawaling's suspension came before the re-opening of the resort-island six months after it was shut down to tourists in to make way for its rehabilitation.

According to DILG spokesman Jonathan Malaya, the department received the suspension order on Wednesday. The DILG implemented the order on Thursday.

Malaya said the Ombudsman placed Cawaling on preventive  suspension in relation to the complaints filed against the mayor for allowing the illegal operation of some businesses or operating without mayor's permit, allowing structures in no-build zones such as wetlands, tolerating violations of the easement rules, issuing mayor's permit without Fire Safety Inspection Certificate (FSIC) from the Bureau of Fire Protection and other similar violations of laws and admin regulations. —NB, GMA News