Ombudsman suspends Malay mayor for six months

October 25, 2018

The Office of the Ombudsman has suspended for six months Malay, Aklan Mayor Ciceron Cawaling in connection  with environmental degradation in Boracay, Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Eduardo Ano said Thursday.

Ano said they received the Ombudsman's order dated Oct. 23. on Wednesday. Vice Mayor Abram Sualog takes over.

"I signed the implementation order. Mayor Cawaling is suspended effective today (Thursday)," he said in a text message.

The preventive suspension will last for six months, said Ano. It took effect a day before Boracay is reopened after it underwent a six-month rehabilitation to remove what President Rodrigo Duterte described as "cesspool."

Ano said Cawaling is the only official suspended over environmental problems in Boracay.

The Department of Interior and Local Government earlier filed criminal and administrative cases against 17 officials, including Cawaling, for alleged neglect of duty which led to an environmental crisis. DMS