Monday, May 26, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
Cebu-based real estate developer J King and Sons Inc., which is alleged to have violated the construction moratorium in the renowned tourist spot in Aklan, has already sold 20 percent of the condotel units of Boracay Crown Regency, the firm’s project in the province.
Richard King, chairman and CEO of J King and Sons, confirmed reports that the sales of their ongoing project have been up these past few days despite the “bad publicity” generated by the violation issue raised against the firm.
The unit costs P4 million each, and the firm targets to sell 50 percent of the total number.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources earlier filed a graft and corruption complaint before the office of the Ombudsman against J King and Sons and Boracay Mayor Ceciron Cawaling for non-compliance in the moratorium of all contruction in the Island.
On Wednesday, King expressed plans to file a case against DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and officials of DENR Region 6 for violation of RA 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practice Act, particularly Section 3, which states that “the law considers as corrupt practices acts or omissions of any public officer that cause undue injury to any party, including the government, or giving any private party unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference, in the discharge of his official administrative, or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence.”
King said they are now preparing all the evidences and will file the charges before the office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas next week.
He also dismissed Atienza’s claim that his company is reclaiming a wetland area, adding the company is environmental compliant and has spent P20 million for a sewerage treatment plant.
Based on the tax declaration of the land in 1948 by previous owner Simplicio Gelito, the land was classified as “Cocal” or Coconut Land. In 1998, it became a tourist zone under the registration of the second owner Rosario Garcia. The J King and Sons acquired the land in 2007.
King also cited DENR Administrative Order 30 of 2003, which assigns the final decision whether a project will be implemented to either the local government unit ”with spatial jurisdiction over the project or the lead government agency that has sectoral mandate to promote the government program where the project belongs.”
He added the building permit for the project was issued on September 13, 2007, and the electrical, sanitary and plumbing permit on October 10, 2007. -- Ira Karen Apanay
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