From Panay News: Sen. Lacson said his information is based on the “spontaneous reaction of a friend who was being told he should cough up P400,000 for IDs that he was requesting for his staff and employees based and housed in Boracay.”

New ‘Racket’ in Boracay: Local execs exploiting ‘no ID, no entry’ policy?

By Prince Golez, Wednesday, April 25, 2018

MANILA – Are there unscrupulous barangay officials in Boracay raising funds for their election campaign using the island’s rehabilitation as a convenient cover?

A businessman in Boracay was asked by certain barangay officials to pay P400,000 for the identification cards (IDs) of his employees there, bared Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday.

Beginning (April 26), only residents, workers, resort owners and their staff with proper identification would be allowed in Boracay.

Lacson did not identify the businessman but said he was a friend.

“My information is not based on hearsay. It was a spontaneous reaction of a friend who was being told he should cough up P400,000 for IDs that he was requesting for his staff and employees based and housed in Boracay,” said Lacson.

The barangay election will be held on May 14. The campaign period is from May 4 to 12.

Lacson urged the Department of Interior and Local Government to entrap the corrupt barangay officials “para itigil na nila ang kalokohan nila.”

“We cannot allow na may barangay officials na tatakbo pa sa May 14, tapos kung makakalusot at ganyan ang kanilang kalakaran, dalawang taong titiisin sila ng mga taga-Boracay o kaya ng mga nagnenegosyo roon,” according to the former Philippine National Police chief.

Boracay is made up of three barangays – Balabag, Manoc-Manoc and Yapak.

“I am sure the barangay officials concerned know who they are,” said Lacson.

The senator said he wants his businessman friend to testify in an upcoming Senate hearing on Boracay.

“May resolution na mag-hearing doon. ‘Di ko alam kung willing to testify ang may business na nakausap ko roon pero narinig ko mismo kasi spontaneous,” said Lacson.

Malacañang also asked the DILG to investigate the matter.

“I am sure DILG will look into this. Secretary (Eduardo) Año will not tolerate such,” said Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque.

It was reported two weeks ago that in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, more people trooped to the village council office secure barangay IDs.

The screening for the issuance of IDs was being tightened but the natives were being prioritized, according to village chief Chona Gabay.

The barangay council of Manoc-Manoc has been issuing barangay IDs (valid for three years starting on the date of issuance) since 2010.

New applicants have to pay P200 while those seeking ID renewal are charged P100.

Also, new applicants are required to show their birth certificate, government and schools IDs, barangay certificate, and certificate of employment for workers.

With over 15,000 residents, Manoc-Manoc has the biggest number of population among the three villages of Boracay./PN