ILOILO CITY – The Ombudsman has dismissed Mayor Ciceron Cawaling of Malay, Aklan from public service for his role in the environmental degradation of world-famous Boracay Island.
Roy Defiño, director of Department of the Interior and Local Government in Aklan, said that Ombudsman’s dismissal order against Cawaling was implemented by DILG Wednesday afternoon.
Cawaling’s dismissal after he was found guilty of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming of a public official, and conduct prejudicial to best interest of service came hours after he resumed being town mayor when his six-month preventive suspension expired.
The mayor’s dismissal also came two days prior to the first year anniversary when the country’s most popular beach destination was shut down for six months last year to begin a long-term rehabilitation.
Cawaling is only one of the 17 local officials facing administrative charges for negligence that led to the resort island’s evolution from being a pristine beach destination into what President Duterte once described as a “cesspool.”
Defiño disclosed Cawaling was not at his office when the dismissal order was served. “We just posted at the door of his office. Technically, he is dismissed from public service,” Defiño noted.
Abram Sualog was again reinstated as acting mayor. (Tara Yap)
