By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA — The two cases filed against Boracay West Cove and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) by the mayor of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija, have been junked by the Office of the Ombudsman–Visayas.
Panay News has learned that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio–Morales recently approved the dismissal of the criminal case for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act filed by Mayor Virgilio Bote against Boracay West Cove chief executive officer Crisostomo Aquino, former DENR executive director Ricardo Calderon, DENR Executive Director for Region 6 Julian Amador, DENR Malay Satellite Office OIC-team leader Salvador Maglinong and former Malay, Aklan, mayor Ceciron Cwaling, for lack of probable cause.
On the other hand, the Ombudsman also dismissed the administrative case for violation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, also lodged by Mayor Bote, against Calderon, Amador and Maglinong, for lack of substantial evidence.
Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer I Eden Crispy Lasala clarified in her decision that DENR has the sole jurisdiction over Boracay West Cove because it is a forestland and does not fall in the 25-plus-5 meters easement being implemented in Boracay.
The decision pointed out that, under Executive Order No. 192, the DENR is recognized as the primary government agency responsible for the conservation, management, development and proper use of the country’s environment and natural resources, specifically forest and grazing lands of the public domain.
In retaliation, Aquino recently filed a case of falsification of documents against Bote, who allegedly used fake titles for claiming about two hectares of land near Boracay West Cove, which had a contract with DENR./PN
