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English Transcript for Domestic Current Affairs Program Failon Now

AIRING DATE: July 21, 2012

TRANSCRIPTION (Filipino)

TRANSLATION (English)

BODY 1 Paalala: Ang paksa ngayong hapon ay may kinalaman sa lahat ng uri ng Pilipino. Mayaman o mahirap, bata o matanda, marunong ka mang lumangoy o hindi. Ang isla ng Boracay sa Aklan ay crown jewel ng ating turismo. Naghahatid ito ng bilyong pisong kita para sa bayan. Kung hahayaan nating masira ang isla ay para na rin tayong pumayag na pagnakawan ng mga lokong taong gobyerno. Kaya tandaan, ikaw ay may pakialam!

Reminder: Our topic this afternoon involves all types of Filipinos. Rich or poor, young or old, including those who know or do not know how to swim. The island of Boracay in Aklan is the crown jewel of our tourism industry. It contributes billions of pesos to our national coffers. If we do not protect this island paradise and allow it to be destroyed, it’s like giving unscrupulous government people the right to rob us. So remember, you must be involved!

TED FAILON HOST: Isyu ngayon!

TED FAILON HOST: The issue for now!

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: The damage has been done with the mother nature. You cannot go and turn back!

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: The damage has been done with the mother nature. You cannot go and turn back!

ELENA BRUGGER RESIDENT, ISLAND OF BORACAY: Of course, businessman, profit ‘no? Pero intindihin mo yung…yung kung saan nanduduon yung business mo. Nasa isla ka eh.

ELENA BRUGGER RESIDENT, ISLAND OF BORACAY: Of course, a businessman’s priority is always profit! But he must bear in mind where his business is. It’s in an island.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Nakadalawang stoppage order ako, dagdag ka pa rin.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: I have issued two stoppage orders already but you keep on expanding.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Wa… wala akong dinagdag mayor.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I have not done any expansion, mayor.

TED FAILON HOST:

TED FAILON HOST:

2/23

Pwede ho nating puntahan ngayon para makita ko kung wala kayong idinagdag?

Can we go to the place now so I can check if you did not do any expansion?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ah, alam mo na may phobia na ako sa’yo Ted eh!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Well, I already have a phobia when it concerns you, Ted!

TED FAILON HOST: Mr. Aquino, yung pinuntahan namin, hindi nagsisinungaling ang video. Sabi niyo pathway lang, eh bahay yung itinayo niyo eh!

TED FAILON HOST: Mr. Aquino, we took a video of your place when we went there. The video never lies! You said you only made a pathway, but you built a house instead!

TED FAILON HOST: Do you think meron ho ba talagang paglabag ang West Cove?

TED FAILON HOST: Do you think that West Cove committed some violations?

Lalaki: Yes po.

Man: Yes sir.

LEONARD TIROL BORACAY ACTION GROUP AND RESORT OWNER: The law is the law ‘no?

LEONARD TIROL BORACAY ACTION GROUP AND RESORT OWNER: The law is the law.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ah, meron akong pagkakamali pero alam ng DENR yan.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Yes, I made some mistakes but the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) is aware of that.

TED FAILON HOST: Buwan ng Hulyo, panahon ng habagat, at tag-ulan na nga sa isla. Bakit kami nagbalik sa isla ng Boracay? Apat na buwan magmula nang aming ibulgar ang mga naglalakihang resorts sa isla ng Boracay na nag-ooperate ng walang kaukulang mga permits, sinasabing ngayong araw na ito ang pagpapatupad raw ng batas laban sa mga resorts na ito. At ang unang sasampolan…ang Boracay West Cove Resort!

TED FAILON HOST: The month of July brings about the southwest monsoon. It’s indeed the rainy season in the island of Boracay. Why did we go back to Boracay? Four months after we featured the huge and luxurious resorts that have been operating without permits in the island of Boracay, we have finally come to this day when they will have to face the law! The first to be scrutinized… is the Boracay West Cove Resort!

3/23

Yan po ang isyung ating binantayan at muli pong hihimayin at ipapaliwanag sa Failon Ngayon!

This afternoon we will have an in-depth discussion of the issue in our program, Failon Ngayon!

TED FAILON HOST: Ito ang Boracay West Cove Resort na una naming pinuntahan noong March 24. Ang ganda, diba? Pero alam niyo bang isa ito sa mga pinakakontrobersyal na resort sa Boracay? Diba’t napaulat nga noon na ito’y pag-aari daw ni people’s champ, Manny Pacquiao?

TED FAILON HOST: This is the Boracay West Cove Resort which we first visited last March 24. Very beautiful, isn’t it? But did you know that it is one of the most controversial resorts in Boracay? Could it be due to the rumors that the resort is owned by the people’s champ, Manny Pacquiao?

REP. MANNY PACQUIAO CONGRESSMAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE: Ang totoo niyan, ah, kaibigan ko si Crisostomo. Nagbebenta siya ng mga baril.

REP. MANNY PACQUIAO CONGRESSMAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE: The truth is, Crisostomo is my friend. He is a businessman who sells guns.

TED FAILON HOST: Oo.

TED FAILON HOST: Yes.

REP. MANNY PACQUIAO CONGRESSMAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE: So binibigyan niya ako ng…ng libreng baril bawat laban at ah, nagpapatulong siya na mabigyan siya ng permit doon sa kay Atienza noong nasa DENR pa si Atienza. So sabi ko ayusin mo, i-follow-up ko uli. Sabihin ko lang…banggitin ko lang kay…kay Secretary Atienza. Yun lang yung participation ko doon na makatulong ako. Hindi ako sosyo sa negosyo na ‘yon.

REP. MANNY PACQUIAO CONGRESSMAN, SARANGANI PROVINCE: He gives me a gun every time I have a fight. Actually, he requested me to help him secure a permit from Atienza who was the Secretary of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) at that time. So I told him to prepare his papers and I will just follow it up from Sec. Atienza. That was my only participation. I only wanted to help. I was not in any way connected with his business.

TED FAILON HOST: Ang Crisostomo na tinutukoy ni Pacman ay ang kanyang flag bearer sa kanyang mga laban. Si Crisostomo Aquino, a.k.a. Cris Aquino.

TED FAILON HOST: The Crisostomo that Pacman is referring to is the flag bearer in all his fights. He is Crisostomo Aquino, a.k.a. Cris Aquino.

TED FAILON HOST: Ito ba ang first niyong resort?

TED FAILON HOST: Is this your first resort?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Oo, ito. It was not intended to be a resort.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Yes it is. It was not intended to be a resort.

4/23

Biktima lang ako rito eh. Bale binenta sa ’kin nung mga native rito, pag-aari pala ng gobyerno kaya napilitan akong upahan.

Actually, I am a victim here. The property was sold to me by the natives here. Later, I learned that it’s government property so I had to pay rent.

TED FAILON HOST: Nakatayo ang Boracay West Cove sa isang forest land area na ayon sa Supreme Court ay inalienable. Ibig sabihin, ang lupang ito hindi maaaring ibenta, tirhan, o kaya’y i-develop. Kung ganon, e bakit nga nakatayo dito ang West Cove?

TED FAILON HOST: The Boracay West Cove is situated in a forest land area which according to the Supreme Court is inalienable. This means that the land cannot be sold, inhabited, or developed. If that’s the case, why was the West Cove built here?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: May position paper na yung DENR na yung legality namin dito. Ayaw lang talaga i-recognize ng local government.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: The DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) has a position paper to justify the legality of our presence here. The problem is, the local government refuses to recognize it.

TED FAILON HOST: Ang pinanghahawakan ni Ginoong Crisostomo Aquino ay FLAgT kung tawagin.

TED FAILON HOST: The document that Mr. Aquino is holding on to is what is known as the FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes).

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Ang FLAgT, ang ibig sabihin niyan ay Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes. Gustong sabihin, yung lupa ay forest land pero pwede mong gamitin sa turismo. So he has at least to pay. Gagamitin mo eh, alangan naman libre!

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: The FLAgT is what is known as Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes. This means that the land is forest land but can be used to promote tourism. So he has to at least pay. He will be allowed to use it but definitely not for free!

TED FAILON HOST: Ang Boracay West Cove ang kauna-unahang resort sa Boracay na nabigyan ng FLAgT sa ilalim ng pamumuno noon ni Kalihim Lito Atienza.

TED FAILON HOST: The Boracay West Cove Resort is the first resort in Boracay that was given a FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes) during the term of Sec. Lito Atienza.

TED FAILON HOST: Ang orihinal na FLAgT o Forest Land

TED FAILON HOST: The original FLAgT or Forest Land Agreement

5/23

Agreement for Tourism Purposes na permit ni Mr. Aquino ay para lamang sa 998 square meters sa kanyang West Cove Resort. Ang problema ay ginawa ni Mr. Aquino ay ipinagapang niya ang konstruksyon ng kanyang hotel pataas ng bundok na ito hangga’t sa lumagpas na nga ng mahigit sa 2,200 square meters!

for Tourism Purposes given to Mr. Aquino covers only 998 square meters for the West Cove Resort. The problem is, Mr. Aquino constructed his hotel upward this mountain, until he covered more than 2,200 square meters already!

TED FAILON HOST: Ano yung binabanggit nila mayor na extension mo?

TED FAILON HOST: What is the extension that the mayor was referring to?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ito pahingahan lang pag tanghali.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: This area which is used as a resting place at noon time.

TED FAILON HOST: Binabanggit mo na pathway lang kamo yung inextend niyo eh mukhang hindi yata pathway ‘to. Mukhang…mukhang building na ‘to sir eh!

TED FAILON HOST: You said that you constructed only a pathway. But this doesn’t look like it! It looks more like a building to me, sir!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ito na yon. Nilagyan lang namin ng bubungan!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Well this is it. We just built a roof!

TED FAILON HOST: Kasi kung pathway, dadaanan lang. Pathway, eh, sir, ito yung pathway na building eh!

TED FAILON HOST: If it’s a pathway, people will just pass through it. But sir, this looks more like a building than a pathway!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Eh… kung tingin niyong hindi pathway ito…ang purpose ko rin dito talaga, tambayan din ng tao.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: If it doesn’t look like a pathway to you… Well I also intended to use this for people to hang out.

TED FAILON HOST: Kaya nga. Opo.

TED FAILON HOST: That’s why. Yes sir.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Hindi, ya… yun yung sinasabi ko.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: No, yes…that’s what I was saying.

TED FAILON HOST: Hindi ito pathway sir, ano?

TED FAILON HOST: Sir, definitely this isn’t a pathway!

6/23

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Bar lang, bar!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: It’s only a bar… a bar.

TED FAILON HOST: O, kapit, madlang people. There’s more! Hindi lang ang paglabag sa FLAgT ang violation ng West Cove!

TED FAILON HOST: Hold on, everyone. There’s more! It’s not just the FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes) that West Cove violated!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Wala kaming ECC dahil ah…nung time na yon, ah…meron kami CNC ‘no? So ah, Certificate of Non-Coverage.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: We don’t have an ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) because at that time…we have a CNC. Yes, a Certificate of Non-Coverage.

TED FAILON HOST: Ang ECC o Environmental Compliance Certificate ay ibinibigay ng DENR sa isang establisimyento o proyekto para masiguro na hindi ito lalabag sa mga patakaran ng DENR sa pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan. Pero sabi nga ni Mr. Cris Aquino, wala sila nito! Reklamo naman ng ibang mga residente ng isla, sinira ng West Cove ang mga natural limestone formations para makapagpatayo ng function area!

TED FAILON HOST: The ECC or Environmental Compliance Certificate is given to an establishment or project to ensure that rules and guidelines of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) to safeguard mother nature will be followed at all times. But Mr. Aquino said that they do not have this! Some residents of the island are complaining that the West Cove destroyed the natural limestone formations to give way to the construction of a function area!

ELENA BRUGGER RESIDENT, ISLAND OF BORACAY: Yung natural limestone formation rocks na pinalitadahan ho ng semento ay hindi na ho siya nagsisilbing breakwater at saka pipisa nung big waves o kaya malaking alon. Doble ho ang kanyang strength o kanyang lakas. So uukain niya ho yung aming beach.

ELENA BRUGGER RESIDENT, ISLAND OF BORACAY: The natural limestone formation rocks that have been cemented can no longer serve as a breakwater to give protection from big, strong waves which will eventually erode our beach.

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: Of course, businessman, profit ‘no? Pero intindihin mo yung…yung kung saan nandudoon yung…yung business mo. Nasa isla ka eh.

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: Of course, a businessman’s priority is always profit. But he must also consider and remember where his business is. It’s in an island.

7/23

TED FAILON HOST: Sa kabila ng mga sentimyento ng mga residente at mga NGO’s pati na ng klarong paglapastangan sa ating kalikasan, tila nagbubulag-bulagan at nagbibingi-bingihan naman ang Regional at Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office sa Aklan!

TED FAILON HOST: Inspite of the sentiments of residents and NGO’s or Non-Government Organizations, including the obvious destruction of nature, it seems that the Regional and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Aklan is playing deaf and blind to this issue!

LIVINO DURAN REGIONAL TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, DENR REGION 6: Sa ngayon, hindi namin mapo-process yung kanila because meron tayong standing moratorium kung ano ang mangyayari sa ating ah…comprehensive…

LIVINO DURAN REGIONAL TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, DENR REGION 6: At present, we cannot process the case because of a standing moratorium. We do not even know what will happen to our comprehensive…

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ang DENR eh every…every month nandito sila. Nandito rin yung ah, CENRO nila. Nandito rin yung PENRO. Ah, halos lahat ng mga taga DENR alam itong area namin.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: People from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) are here every month. Even employees from their CENRO (City Environment and Natural Resources Office) and PENRO (Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer) are here. Almost all the people from the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) are familiar with our area.

TED FAILON HOST: Ahhh! Kaya naman pala!

TED FAILON HOST: Oh! No wonder!

TED FAILON HOST: Eto ang malupit. Naitayo ang Boracay West Cove nang walang building permit, mayor’s permit, o business permit man lamang!

TED FAILON HOST: You won’t believe this. The Boracay West Cove was built without a building permit, a mayor’s permit, or even a business permit!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Eh, yun ang kalakaran dito!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: That’s how things are done here!

TED FAILON HOST: Ano po? Ano po ulit? Sir, sir!

TED FAILON HOST: What’s that? Again, please? Sir, sir!

8/23

BODY 2

TED FAILON HOST: Boracay, hinirang na World’s Best Island ng isang international travel magazine nitong buwan lamang. Astig, diba? Kaya naman, mga business dito, very hot, in demand. Nagsulputang parang kabute.

TED FAILON HOST: Boracay, acclaimed as the World’s Best Island by an international travel magazine only this month. Big time, isn’t it? That’s why businesses here have mushroomed. They are very hot and in demand.

TED FAILON HOST: Kung ikaw ay magtatayo ng negosyo o magbubuo ng negosyo, kailangan mo ng business at mayor’s permit. Kung ikaw naman e magtatayo ng istruktura, kinakailangan mo ng building permit. At kung ang iyong negosyo ay may implikasyon sa ating kalikasan, kinakailangan mo ng Environmental Compliance Certificate gaya nga ng mga resorts dito sa Boracay. Pero, itong Boracay West Cove, iba toits. Walang building permit, walang occupancy permit, walang mayor’s permit, walang business permit, at wala ding ECC pero patuloy ang operasyon na para bagang walang mali!

TED FAILON HOST: If you intend to start a business, you will need a business and a mayor’s permit. If you intend to put up a structure, you will need a building permit. And if your business has something to do with things that can affect nature, you will need an Environmental Compliance Certificate like the resorts here in Boracay. But the Boracay West Cove is different. It has no building permit, no occupancy permit, no mayor’s permit, no business permit, and no ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) but is able to continue to operate as if nothing is wrong!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ayan ang kalakaran dito, itayo mo muna atsaka ka bibigyan ng ano…ng permit!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: That’s how things are done here! You build the structure first and then you’ll be given a permit!

TED FAILON HOST: Eh, sir, meron ba kayong building permit?

TED FAILON HOST: Sir, do you have a building permit?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Yun na nga. Matagal nang nasa kanila yung application namin eh.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: You know, my application has been with them for a long time now.

TED FAILON HOST: Meron nga ba kayo?

TED FAILON HOST: Do you really have one?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE:

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE:

9/23

Talagang inupuan lang nila! They just sat on my application! TED FAILON HOST: Meron po ba o wala?

TED FAILON HOST: Do you have one or not?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Alam ko, dahil binigyan ako ng FLAgT eh, ibig sabihin eh…pinayagan ako.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I know, because I was given a FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes) which means I was given permission to operate.

TED FAILON HOST: Meron o wala? Haaay!

TED FAILON HOST: Do you have the permit or not? Wow!

TED FAILON HOST: Kayo nalang nga, mayor.

TED FAILON HOST: Mayor, please say something.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Ah, walang building permit yan!

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: He has no building permit!

LEONARD TIROL BORACAY ACTION GROUP AND RESORT OWNER: Oh, wow! That is why ah…mortal sin yan eh! The small island… island rock formations there ‘no… they put a bridge and everything. So right now, it’s something different. Parang ah…it’s not Boracay anymore eh! And ah, I don’t know how he got away with it!

LEONARD TIROL BORACAY ACTION GROUP AND RESORT OWNER: Oh, wow! That is why, that’s a mortal sin! The small island rock formations there… they put a bridge and everything. So right now, it’s something different. As if it’s not Boracay anymore! And I don’t know how he got away with it!

TED FAILON HOST: So nagawa niyang makapagtayo ng ganun kalaking resort nang walang building permit. Hindi ba nakakainsulto yon, mayor?

TED FAILON HOST: So he was able to build a resort as big as that without a building permit? Isn’t that insulting, mayor?

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Nakakainsulto kaya…kaya actually nag-ah…nag-order ah…ako diyan, yun nga, ng closure atsaka demolition. Ah pero ngayon kasi merong ano eh…nag-file siya ng injunction dun sa Court of Appeal so parang respeto naman sa korte…

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Yes it is insulting. Actually, I ordered a closure and demolition order already. But now, my hands are tied because he filed an injunction in the Court of Appeal and I have to respect the court…

TED FAILON HOST: Pero yun bang injunction effective na, hindi pa?

TED FAILON HOST: But is the injunction effective already or not yet?

10/23

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Effective na yon. Hindi natin alam baka yung order namin mag… mag-negative. Baka kami yung balikan so in respect…

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: It’s effective already. But we do not know what will happen to our order. It might turn out negative and backfire. So in respect…

TED FAILON HOST: Ayaw niyo hong…

TED FAILON HOST: Don’t you like…

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Ayaw ko munang gamitin yung kamay na bakal. Gusto ko munang tapusin muna yun Ted and respect sa korte natin.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: As of now, I don’t like to use an iron fist. I want to finish the issue first Ted and show respect to our court.

TED FAILON HOST: Respect ka ninyo, mayor. Nasaan po ang sinasabi niyong respeto kung may isang tao na patuloy po namang lumalabag sa mga patakaran ng pamahalaan at yumuyurak sa ating kalikasan? Mawalang galang po mayor, 2010 pa, naglabas kayo ng closure and demolition order. Two years after, imbes na magiba ang Boracay West Cove, heto at meroong pathway, tambayan, at bar pa kuno si Aquino ngayon!

TED FAILON HOST: You are talking about respect, mayor. Where is the respect when there’s somebody who continues to defy the rules of law and shows no concern for the protection of nature? With due respect, mayor, it was 2010 when you issued a closure and demolition order. Two years after, your order has not been implemented. Instead, the Boracay West Cove now boasts of a pathway, a hang-out area cum bar courtesy of Mr. Aquino!

TED FAILON HOST: Kung totoo ang binabanggit ni Cris Aquino na siya’y tumigil na sa expansion ng kanyang West Cove Resort, bakit kitang-kita ngayon dito sa aming kinalalagyan ang presko pang semento…

TED FAILON HOST: If Mr. Aquino’s claim is true that he has not done any expansion on the West Cove Resort, why are traces of fresh cement seen from where we stand now?

ACE AZARCON PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR- DILG AKLAN: Of course we cannot…we cannot just but conclude na tuloy-tuloy po yung pag- ano niya…expand nung area niya.

ACE AZARCON PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR- DILG AKLAN: Of course we cannot just conclude that he continues to expand his area.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Medyo napabayaan lang siguro, Ted kaya nga

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: We might have neglected to attend to it

11/23

inaayos namin. before. That’s why we are acting on it now. TED FAILON HOST: Gaano…gaano po ito ka-urgent? Kaya nga kinalampag ng Failon Ngayon ang mga ahensyang may say din sa isyu ng Boracay. Mula Department of Tourism…

TED FAILON HOST: How urgent is this matter? That’s why Failon Ngayon (Failon Now) got in touch with the different agencies that have a say about the issue in Boracay. We start off with the Department of Tourism.

SEC. RAMON JIMENEZ JR. DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM: Hindi naman pwedeng mag-operate ng walang permit. Alam ng LGU yon!

SEC. RAMON JIMENEZ JR. DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM: You cannot operate without a permit. The LGU (Local Government Unit) knows that!

TED FAILON HOST: DENR.

TED FAILON HOST: The DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources).

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Yung area is a no-build zone. Ang nag-zone niyan na no-build zone is LGU. Therefore sila dapat ang nagpigil sa pagtatayo diyan.

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: The Area is a no-build zone. It was classified as a no-build zone by the LGU (Local Government Unit). Therefore, it is their responsibility to stop any construction there.

TED FAILON HOST: DPWH.

TED FAILON HOST: The DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways).

SEC. ROGELIO SINGSON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS: Walang building permit, definitely wala ding occupancy permit. So kung wala any of these, the structure can be demolished. This is the responsibility of the Local Government Unit.

SEC. ROGELIO SINGSON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS: If there is no building permit, then definitely there is no occupancy permit. So if you don’t have any of these, the structure can be demolished. This is the responsibility of the Local Government Unit.

TED FAILON HOST: Hanggang DILG.

TED FAILON HOST: Up to the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government).

SEC. JESSIE ROBREDO DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

SEC. JESSIE ROBREDO DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT:

12/23

There is a proposal para yung land use plan ng…ng ah…ng probinsya atsaka ng munisipyo…

There is a proposal so that the land use plan of the province and the municipality…

TED FAILON HOST: Oo.

TED FAILON HOST: Yes.

SEC. JESSIE ROBREDO DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: …nasa probinsya na raw yon except yung sa area’ng yon. That should have been done a long, long time ago. Ito ho yung mga pending matters that ah…needs to be resolved.

SEC. JESSIE ROBREDO DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: …it’s the responsibility of the province already except for the area concerned. That should have been done a long, long time ago. These are pending matters that need to be resolved.

TED FAILON HOST: Ano yan, wala ho kayong poder to dictate on the mayor?

TED FAILON HOST: Don’t you have the authority to dictate on the mayor, sir?

SEC. JESSIE ROBREDO DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: It’s his call.

SEC. JESSIE ROBREDO DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT: It’s his call.

TED FAILON HOST: At tila maging ang Malacanang ay hindi na rin makahintay sa kawalan ng aksyon sa mga environtal concerns sa isla.

TED FAILON HOST: Even Malacañang can no longer wait for the absence of appropriate action about environmental concerns of the island.

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Nakita ni President Aquino na yung Boracay should not go to waste. Hindi pupwedeng masira kasi somehow yun ang jewel ng ating tourism sa Pilipinas. So hindi dapat payagang masira.

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Pres. Aquino realized that Boracay should not go to waste. We cannot allow it to be destroyed because it is the jewel of tourism in the Philippines. So we must not allow its destruction.

TED FAILON HOST: Aba mayor. Lahat sila, kaw lang at tanging ikaw lang ang inaasahan! Anyareh?!

TED FAILON HOST: Well, mayor. It seems that all of them are saying that you are the one and only person who is expected to act on this!

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: In respect…in respect, para walang conflict!

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Respect so that there will be no conflict!

TED FAILON TED FAILON

13/23

HOST: Sa bisa ng sulat ni Kalihim Robredo kay Mayor Yap noong June 18, 2012, pinagtibay niya ang desisyon ng Task Force Boracay na ipawalang bisa ang mga permit na hawak ni Crisostomo Aquino at gibain ang iligal na istraktura ng West Cove!

HOST: By virtue of the letter of Sec. Robredo to Mayor Yap last June 18, 2012, the decision of Task Force Boracay to declare all permits in the possession of Crisostomo Aquino null and void and the demolition of the illegal structure of the West Cove could now be implemented!

ATTY. ELBEN MARLON MALAGA ENVIRONMENTALIST: At least na…naipatupad na rin finally! Ah…better late than never sir.

ATTY. ELBEN MARLON MALAGA ENVIRONMENTALIST: At least, finally it has been done! Better late than never sir!

TED FAILON HOST: At abangan…..

TED FAILON HOST: And in a short while….

TED FAILON HOST: Ito ay kasama ngayon sa gigibain na!

TED FAILON HOST: This is part of the structure to be demolished!

BODY 3 TED FAILON HOST: Heto na nga. This is it!

TED FAILON HOST: Here it is. This is it!

TED FAILON HOST: Heto na. Handang-handa nang mag-pull out ang grupo na pinulong ni Mayor John Yap. Ito yung task force na binubuo ng armed forces, PNP, maging DILG. Kasama ang mga barangay auxiliary para nga simulan na ang sinasabing demolisyon ng West Cove Resort sa Boracay.

TED FAILON HOST: Here it is. The group that was met eralier by Mayor John Yap is ready to pull out! This is the task force composed of the armed forces, PNP (Philippine National Police), and the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government). Included are members of the barangay auxiliary to start the demolition of the West Cove Resort in Boracay.

TED FAILON HOST: In fairness kay mayor ha, handa talaga!

TED FAILON HOST: In fairness to the mayor, the group is really prepared!

TED FAILON HOST: Mayor, kelan po kayo nag-notice dito sa me may-ari ng West Cove that you’re going to start the demolition?

TED FAILON HOST: Mayor, when did you notify the owner of West Cove that you’re going to start the demolition?

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Ah, last Friday. Oo, nagpadala kami ng notice.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Last Friday. Yes, we sent a notice.

TED FAILON TED FAILON

14/23

HOST: On what grounds, mayor?

HOST: On what grounds, mayor?

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Ah, based on dun sa order ni Secretary atsaka ni Secretary Robredo na to demolish yung ano…yung outside ah, applied FLAgT area.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Based on the order of the Secretary and Secretary Robredo to demolish the area outside the applied FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes).

TED FAILON HOST: Una munang siniguro ang pagpasok ng demolition team sa Boracay West Cove.

TED FAILON HOST: Entry of the demolition team in the premises of Boracay West Cove was first secured.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: According to DENR, mga 3,000 lahat yung na-occupy niya. So yun yung ipapa-demolish namin ngayon. Maganda naman, at least nagtulungan kami dito nung DENR atsaka DILG. Of course ah, tulong mo rin Ted na magandang expose din. At least nagkaroon ng teamwork dito.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: According to DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), he occupied about 3,000 square meters. So that’s the area scheduled for demolition. It’s good because DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) helped my office carry this out. Of course, your striking expose, Ted, was a big help too. At least there’s teamwork in this endeavor.

TED FAILON HOST: Maya-maya lang, dumating na si Crisostomo Aquino a.k.a. Cris Aquino, may-ari ng Boracay West Cove Resort na bitbit ang pinanghahawakang FLAgT.

TED FAILON HOST: In a short while, Crisostomo Aquino, a.k.a. Cris Aquino, owner of Boracay West Cove Resort arrived bringing with him the FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes) that was given to him.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Hindi ako mayor nagpunta rito sa isla niyo para lumaban or what. Gaya nga ng sabi ko kay Ginoong Failon, at least ngayon, parehas…merong mga ibang media. Kay Mr. Failon hindi ako nabigyan ng tamang proseso. Ah, inulat lang niya yung gusto niyang sabihin. Yung pinakita ko kay Mr. Ted Failon na building na sinasabi ko dun sa dulo, e para mag-hold, Mr. Failon.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Mayor, I didn’t come to your island to pick a fight or what. Like what I said to Mr. Failon, at least now, other members of the media are present. I was not given due process by Mr. Failon. He just said what he wanted to say. The building that I showed you earlier which is situated at the end portion, Mr. Failon, was intended to hold the area.

15/23

Makita niyo, tatlong cliff na ron ang gumuho. Hindi iligal ‘to. Kaya lang naging iligal ako dahil ayaw akong bigyan ng ah, business permit dahil sinasabi nila no-build zone yung aking lugar. Ang hinihingi ko lang tamang proseso. Ah, siguro naman Mr. Failon, inaraw-araw mo ako sa radyo kaya napilitan si Secretary na magbigay ng sulat niya na taliwas doon sa findings ng kanyang mga technical group. Ang complain ko nga dito eh, ako na yung nagpaganda, pera ko mismo ang ginastos ko rito eh ako pa yung nasi-single out.

As you can see, three cliffs have given way already. This is not illegal. It appears to be illegal because they refuse to give me a business permit. According to them, my area falls within a no-build zone. I am only asking for due process. Mr. Failon, it may be because of your comments about me on your daily radio program that led to the Secretary being forced to issue a letter which contradicts the findings of his technical groups. My complaint is that I exerted effort to improve the place, to make it more beautiful. I spent my own money, only to be singled out in the end.

TED FAILON HOST: Sa kanilang kumpruntasyon pati ako nasabit! Hmm!

TED FAILON HOST: I was caught in the middle of their confrontation!

TED FAILON HOST: Lahat daw ho ng permit wala kayo?

TED FAILON HOST: They say you don’t have any of the required permits?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ah, hindi totoo yon! Gaya nung sinabi mo, yung resibo ko e binili ko lamang sa National Book Store. Andun yung binabayad namin na resibo. Ang hindi nga lang nga kumikita rito, ang local government pero may resibo kami diyan.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Oh, that’s not true! You said earlier, I just bought my receipt from the bookstore. I keep all the receipts to prove that I pay my obligations. Only the local government does not profit from this but our receipts are filed.

TED FAILON HOST: Paano kayo naisyuhan po ng BIR kung wala ho kayo nung business permit?

TED FAILON HOST: How did the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) issue receipts if you do not have a business permit?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ah, meron kaming ano eh, DTI eh. Nung nag-apply kami ng resibo, binigyan kami kaya nag-operate naman kami.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Well, we have DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) receipts. When we applied for receipts, we were given accordingly, so we

16/23

were able to operate. TED FAILON HOST: Paano kayo nakapag-ooperate kung wala kayong mayor’s permit?

TED FAILON HOST: How can you operate when you don’t have a mayor’s permit?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ah, hindi lang naman ako. Marami rin dito!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I’m not the only one in this. There are many here!

TED FAILON HOST: Ang tanong ko po…huwag niyo ho idamay yung iba.

TED FAILON HOST: Please answer my question. Don’t include others in our discussion.

TED FAILON HOST: Mayor, bakit nakapag-ooperate ang isang taong katulad niya na walang mayor’s permit?

TED FAILON HOST: Mayor, why can somebody like him operate without a mayor’s permit?

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Siguro Ted ah…at the beginning alam naman natin na may…may problema pero operate pa rin siya nang operate.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Maybe Ted…at the beginning we were aware of the problem but he continued to operate.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Mayor, siguro naman sasabihin ko na rito. Nag-usap tayo noon, December. Andiyan yung litrato, ipapakita ko. Wala akong tinatago rito. Ah, ano’ng pangako niyo sa’kin? Ibibigay niyo aking business permit. Tapos bigla na lang iba na…iba na ang hangin.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Mayor, maybe I can say it already. We talked last December. I can show a picture to prove it. I’m not hiding anything here. What did you promise me? That you’ll give my business permit. But now, things have suddenly changed.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Pero wala akong pinangako sa ’yo kung mabibigay ko yung business permit.

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: But I didn’t promise to give you a business permit.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ay!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Oh my!

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: Sabi ko…sabi ko huwag mong dagdagan then

MAYOR JOHN YAP MAYOR, MALAY, AKLAN: I said stop expanding and we will fix your

17/23

ah, ayusin natin yung problema mo. E, dagdag ka nang dagdag eh!

problem. But you kept on expanding!

TED FAILON HOST: Huwag dagdagan po!

TED FAILON HOST: Stop expanding, sir!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Wala akong dinagdag mayor!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I did not add anything, mayor!

TED FAILON HOST: Ayun! Ay, patay tayo diyan!

TED FAILON HOST: There! This is getting to be complicated!

Cris: Ah, tignan niyo yung nandon!

Cris: Go see what’s there!

TED FAILON HOST: Sige ho. Pwede ho namin puntahan ngayon para makita kung wala kayong dinagdag?

TED FAILON HOST: Okay, sir. Can we go now so I can see if you did not do any expansion?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ah, alam mo na may phobia na ako sa’yo Ted eh!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Well, I already have a phobia when it concerns you, Ted!

TED FAILON HOST: O sige, hindi ako sasama!

TED FAILON HOST: Okay. I won’t go with them!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Oo. Yung ABS CBN!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Yes. Also ABS CBN (Alto Broadcasting System -Chronicle Broadcasting Network)!

TED FAILON HOST: Kasi po nung pinuntahan namin ‘to, Mr. Aquino, nung pinuntahan namin, hindi nagsisinungaling ang video! Sumobra ho kayo…kahit na ho binabanggit niyo sa ’kin on video eh. Sabi niyo pathway lang eh bahay yung itinayo niyo eh! ‘Di ba kitang-kita po sa video?

TED FAILON HOST: Because when we went there, Mr. Aquino, the video will prove our point! You got more than you should have. You said it was only a pathway but it was a house that you built! It’s obvious in the video!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Yung bar na yon, syempre, saan naman kami kukuha ng…

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: That bar, of course, where do you think will we get…

TED FAILON TED FAILON

18/23

HOST: Hindi ho, kitang-kita po sa video sir eh!

HOST: No sir, the video will show us!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Eh, andito yung…andito kaya…nandiyan ang DENR…

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: But that’s why DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) is here…

TED FAILON HOST: Hindi nagsisinungaling ang video!

TED FAILON HOST: The video does not lie!

TED FAILON HOST: Hindi ito pathway sir, ano?

TED FAILON HOST: Sir, definitely this isn’t a pathway!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Bar lang, bar!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: It’s only a bar… a bar!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Sasabihin ko na kung sino’ng puno’t dulo nito. Si Elena Brugger. Bakit kamo? Sa tuwing umaga, binabati mo siya. Kamusta ka diyan, Elena Brugger?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ok. I’ll tell you the root of all these! It’s Elena Brugger. Why so? You greet her every morning on your radio program. How are you, Elena Brugger?

TED FAILON HOST: Kelan ko po binati?

TED FAILON HOST: When did I greet her?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Eh nakikinig ako ng istasyon mo!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I always listen to your station!

TED FAILON HOST: Hindi nga po. Kelan po?

TED FAILON HOST: No, really. When was it?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Binati mo. Binati mo. Hindi ko lang masabi.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: You greeted her. I just can’t recall but you greeted her.

TED FAILON HOST: Kelan po. One time?

TED FAILON HOST: When sir? One time?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Eh hindi, siguro twice mo binati. And then na-

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I can’t say. Maybe you greeted her twice. And

19/23

drop ang BFI group. then the BFI (Boracay Foundation, Incorporated) group was dropped.

TED FAILON HOST: Opo. Kapag ho ba ako nagbati po sa radyo e meron nang kasalanan?

TED FAILON HOST: Okay. So is there anything wrong with greeting someone on radio?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: E hindi ko naman sinasabi, napapagdugtong-dugtong ko lang na ito eh…ah, pinepersonal ako rito. Sana nga huwag mo ako personalin!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I’m not saying that. I just put the pieces together and it looks like things are turning to be personal. I hope you will be more objective.

TED FAILON HOST: Wala po. Trabaho lang po…trabaho lang po ito sir!

TED FAILON HOST: Nothing of that sort, sir. This is my work, nothing else!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Trabaho, trabaho e tuwing nababanggit….

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Work…work but every time it’s mentioned…

TED FAILON HOST: Muli naming tinanong si Crisostomo Aquino sa kanyang binitiwang salita sa amin noon nang una naming makapanayam.

TED FAILON HOST: We again asked Crisostomo Aquino about his statement when we first interviewed him.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: E yan ang kalakaran dito. Itayo mo muna atsaka ka bibigyan ng ano…ng permit.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Well, that’s how things are done here! Build first, then you will be given a permit.

TED FAILON HOST: Kasi inamin niyo po sa amin on camera, na dito, ang ginawa ho ninyo, build first, apply permit later…on camera!

TED FAILON HOST: Because you admitted to us on camera that what you did here was build first and apply permit later…on camera.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Oo. E hindi lang naman ako eh!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Yes. But I’m not the only one!

TED FAILON HOST: Hindi po. Hindi po. Huwag niyo hong idamay muna yung iba.

TED FAILON HOST: No sir. Don’t talk about others first.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: E yun na nga ba’ng sinasabi ko.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: That’s what I’ve been saying.

TED FAILON TED FAILON

20/23

HOST: Hindi nga po eh!

HOST: That’s not it, sir!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: E yun ang kalakaran dito!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: That’s how things are done here!

TED FAILON HOST: Ano po? Ano po ulit? Sir, sir! Pakiulit po.

TED FAILON HOST: What’s that? Again please? Sir, sir! Say that again.

TED FAILON HOST: Sir. Hmm, saan napunta si Crisostomo Aquino?

TED FAILON HOST: Sir. I wonder where Crisostomo Aquino is?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Sana nga huwag mo akong personalin!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I hope you will be more objective!

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: Ang Ted Failon kasi, meron na yan ah…yung kredibilidad, hindi mo pwedeng basta na lang yan, diba, siraan. Kahit sinong mortal babayaran niyo si Ted Failon. I don’t think mangyayari yon ‘no? Atsaka, bakit? Kailangan bang bayaran yung gumagawa ng tama?

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: Ted Failon is credible. You cannot just smear his personality. I don’t think anybody will ever bribe Ted Failon. It’s almost impossible, very unlikely. And for what reason? Do you have to pay someone who is doing the right thing?

TED FAILON HOST: Pagkatapos ma-secure ang loob ng West Cove, kailangan nang malaman ang kabuoang sukat ng FLAgT ng Boracay West Cove. Inalam ng mga surveyors ng DENR ang reference points para mamarkahan na kung hanggang saan ang tamang sukat ng Boracay West Cove na dapat ay 998 square meters lamang ayon sa FlagT o Forest Land Agreement for Tourism purpose nito.

TED FAILON HOST: After securing the premises of West Cove, the whole area covered by the FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes) of the Boracay West Cove must be determined. The surveyors of the DENR checked the reference points to mark the boundaries of the Boracay West Cove which should cover only 998 square meters according to the FLAgT or Forest Land Agreement for Tourism purpose.

IVEN REYES PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR, PENRO-AKLAN: Ang trabaho po namin, sukatin lang po namin ang 998 and then yon ang ipakita namin kay mayor. Mayor, ito lang po yung sukat nung 998.

IVEN REYES PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR, PENRO-AKLAN: Our job is just to measure the 998 square meters and then show the area to the mayor. This is what’s included in the 998.

TED FAILON HOST: Nagsimula daw sukatin yung reference points

TED FAILON HOST: The surveyors started to measure the

21/23

ng FLAgT ni Ginoong Aquino ng mga alas siete ng umaga. Ngayon po mag-aalas dose ng tanghali na, hindi pa tapos ang sukatan at inabot na nga kami ng ulan.

reference points of the FLAgT (Forest Land Agreement for Tourism Purposes) given to Mr. Aquino at about 7:00 in the morning. Now it is 12:00 noon already and they have not finished. We’ve been caught by a downpour already.

TED FAILON HOST: Maya-maya lamang, nagsimula na ang demolisyon!

TED FAILON HOST: In a short while the demolition started!

TED FAILON HOST: Simula na nga ba ito ng pagtugis ng lokal na pamahalaan at ng DENR sa mga mapang-abusong negosyante sa isla? Weh! Hindi nga?!

TED FAILON HOST: Could this be the start of the fight of the local government and the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) against abusive businessmen in the island? Let’s see!

BODY 4 CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Sana nga huwag mo akong personalin!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I hope you will be more objective!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Kasinungalingan yan Ted! Wala akong itinatago!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: That’s a lie, Ted! I’m not hiding anything!

TED FAILON HOST: Sa kalagitnaan ng paghihintay sa demolisyon, ang may-ari ng West Cove ay biglang nagpatawag ng press conference.

TED FAILON HOST: While the demolition was going on, the owner of West Cove suddenly called for a press conference.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Advance ho ako ng tatlong taon dito. Ah, yung taon na ’to, bayad ho ito sa…sa DENR. Pag nandito sila sa isla, kami’ng nagbabayad nung hotel nila yun pala nung bandang huli, sila pala ang magsusulat pa na ilalaglag ka! Ako ang binaligtad dito!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: This place is paid for three years in advance. I made my payments for this year to DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) already. When people from DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) visit the island, we pay for their hotel. It’s too bad that at the end, they will be the ones who will put me down! I’m the victim

22/23

here! TED FAILON HOST: Eh, malakas ka naman pala sa DENR!

TED FAILON HOST: So you have strong connections at the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources)!

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: O, ito Ted ang sinasabi ko. Kung mayroon man siya na mga binabayaran, iluwal niya. Kung mayron man, sino man ang mga nag...tumulong sa kanya para ma-commit yung illegal act na yan, sabihin niya. Itutuloy ko Ted. We will throw the books to whoever!

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: I can only say this Ted. If there are people who benefitted from this, he should show it to us. He must say who helped him commit this illegal act. I assure you, Ted, we will throw the books to whoever!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ang sabi ko madalas diyan ang DENR na nag-iinspeksyon. Anong nagbabakasyon?!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I said people from DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) come here often to inspect the place. I didn’t say they were having a vacation!

TED FAILON HOST: At kung kani-kanina lamang, parang mala-action star ang dating ni Mr. Cris Aquino, aba’y, nag-ibang anyo at tila nahimasmasan makalipas ang ilang oras!

TED FAILON HOST: If a while ago Mr. Cris Aquino appeared to be like an action star, his composure has changed now and has become very calm after only a few hours!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ah, humihingi nga ako ng paumanhin sa’yo dahil nung…maalala mo nung pumasyal ka noon dito sa Failon Ngayon, wala akong itinatago. Ah, wala akong…wala akong basehan Ted na tumatanggap ka. Alam ko ah…na para sa ikauunlad o ikagaganda ng Boracay. Ah, humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa’yo. Naging marahas ah…napagbintangan kita.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I’m apologizing to you because if you remember, when you first came here to do an episode of Failon Ngayon (Failon Now), I didn’t hide anything. I don’t have any basis Ted, to say that you accept bribes. I know that you are doing this to help in the development and beautification of Boracay. I apologize because I have been rude and made false accusations against you.

TED FAILON HOST: Ang drama ngayon ni Ginoong Aquino…

TED FAILON HOST: The sentiment of Mr. Aquino now is that he

23/23

pinaasa lamang siya, dahil ang kanyang mga kakampi, nilaglag daw siya!

was given false hopes because the people whom he believed were on his side are now putting him down!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: At pinaasa ako ng DENR na tama yung ginagawa ko! Ah, yung area ko na inaplayan, mula pa nung umpisa…yang 10,586 yan, e pwedeng aplayan! Di sana sinaway na nila ako dati na hindi pwede. Hindi na maaaprub yan. Yung site management plan namin…

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: And DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) made me feel that I was doing the right thing! The 10,586 square meters that I applied for from the very start can really be granted! Otherwise, they should have told me that it was not possible…that it will not be approved. Our site management plan…

TED FAILON HOST: Opo.

TED FAILON HOST: Yes sir.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: …kami’ng nagbabayad nung hotel nila! Kami ang nagbabayad nung hotel nila para lang ipakita namin na in good faith na…makita mo naman Ted hindi naming inabuso ito…

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: …we are the ones paying for their hotel! We pay for their hotel just to show them that we are acting in good faith. Ted, you can see that we are not abusing the place…

TED FAILON HOST: Kayo ang bagbabayad nung hotel nila for accommodation?

TED FAILON HOST: You pay for their hotel accommodation?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Accommodation!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Accommodation!

TED FAILON HOST: Pag sila nag-iinspeksyon?

TED FAILON HOST: When they inspect your area?

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Pag sila nag-iinspeksyon.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: When they make an inspection.

TED FAILON HOST: Ang pinanghahawakan ni Aquino na diumano’y katibayan na hindi siya lumalabag sa batas ay ang memorandum mula sa Central Environment and Natural Resources Office o CENRO.

TED FAILON HOST: The document that Mr. Aquino is holding on to in order to prove that he is not violating any law is a memorandum from the Central Environment and Natural Resources Office or CENRO.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE:

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE:

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Ang nakasulat don si Doktora Alice ah…may position paper kami na yung area namin eh hindi beachfront.

The signatory of the document is Dr. Alice…we have a position paper to show that the area we are occupying is not a beachfront.

TED FAILON HOST: Pero, mismong ang CENRO, missing in action! Kaya naman, pakiramdam ni Ginoong Aquino, sa bandang huli, nilaglag siya ng mga kakampi!

TED FAILON HOST: But the problem is, CENRO (Central Environment and Natural Resources Office) itself is missing in action! That is why Mr. Aquino feels that at the end, his friends have finally put him down!

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Ako, magiging ehemplo na papayag akong ipagiba yung dulo. Ah, sana lang masundan din yung mga nag-violate din.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: I will be a good example and agree to have the end portion of my resort be demolished. I hope others who have violations will have the same fate.

TED FAILON HOST: Sa Boracay island, meron pang labing-isang resort na nag-ooperate nang walang kaukulang ECC at ilan pang mga resorts naman na may kung anu-anong violations. Well, matapos ngang masampolan ang West Cove ng sinasabing kamay raw na bakal nila mayor, ang tanong…meron kayang susunod?

TED FAILON HOST: There are 11 more resorts in Boracay island that continue to operate without the required ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate). There are also other resorts that have violations in one way or another. Well, after the West Cove had a taste of the mayor’s iron fist, the question is…will others follow?

TED FAILON HOST: Noong pumunta ang Failon Ngayon sa Boracay nitong Marso, napag-alaman naming labindalawang resorts ang walang ECC kabilang na ang Boracay West Cove! Ang ilan ay nangakong aasikasuhin nila ang pagkuha ng kanilang ECC.

TED FAILON HOST: When Failon Ngayon went to Boracay this March, we learned that 12 resorts had no ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate), including the Boracay West Cove! Some of them promised to get the required ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate).

TED FAILON HOST: Binalikan namin ang mga ito at inalam kung marunong silang tumupad sa pangako.

TED FAILON HOST: We went back to these resorts to check if they fulfilled their promise.

VOICE OVER: HOTEL SOFIA The recommendation of the regional office, the deed is okay and they’re just waiting for them to forward to the head office here in…in

VOICE OVER: HOTEL SOFIA The recommendation of the regional office, the deed is okay and they’re just waiting for them to forward to the head office here in

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Manila. Ah, recommended for approval already by their regional office.

Manila. Recommended for approval already by their regional office.

VOICE OVER: FAILON NOW STAFF You do have an ECC, sir?

VOICE OVER: FAILON NOW STAFF You do have an ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate), sir?

VOICE OVER: GARDEN OF EDEN Yes, meron, dalawa!

VOICE OVER: GARDEN OF EDEN Yes, we have two!

VOICE OVER: GARDEN OF EDEN I don’t answer questions from the phone, you know!

VOICE OVER: GARDEN OF EDEN I don’t answer questions from the phone, you know!

TED FAILON HOST: Habang ang ibang resorts ay hindi namin mahagilap! Demolition din kaya ang kahahantungan ng mga resort na walang ECC?

TED FAILON HOST: We could not get in touch with the other resorts to check their status. Will the others without the required ECC (Environmental Compliance Certificate) be demolished too?

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Somehow, it should apply. Sa gobyerno naman ngayon ni Pres. ah… Aquino, kung ano ang batas, dapat ipatupad! Kung, dadalawa lang ang ah…scenario rito. Kung ano yung tama, ano yung mali. Kung ano yung tama, you get the guarantee of government. Kung ano yung mali, the government will be totally against you!

SEC. RAMON PAJE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Somehow, it should apply. The government of Pres. Aquino believes that the law must be implemented! There are only two scenarios here. That which is right and that which is wrong. Whatever is right will get the guarantee of government. The government will be totally against that which is wrong!

BODY 5 TED FAILON HOST: Boracay. Sino’ng mag-aakalang ang paraisong ito ay mababalutan ng hiwaga at kontrobersya? Nguni’t dahil sa koordinasyon at pag-aksyon ng national at local government, ang mga lumabag sa batas, walang ligtas!

TED FAILON HOST: Boracay. Whoever thought that this island paradise will be covered by mystery and controversy? But because of the coordination and swift action of the national and local government, those who violated the law are held accountable!

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: Nagpapasalamat ‘no? On behalf of Boracay Foundation, sa mga media friends na…

NENETTE GRAF MEMBER, BORACAY FOUNDATION INC: On behalf of Boracay Foundation, we are very thankful. To our pro-active media friends who

26/23

nakialam sa mga problema namin sa isla lalong-lalo na sa Failon Ngayon dahil dito sa isang ah…success story itong ah, West Cove. Ah, tinutukan talaga nila atsaka ah…talagang hindi nila tinigilan hanggang hindi tayo nakarating sa…sa punto na ‘to na kung kailangan ah, ang batas ay talagang mag-apply na sa lahat.

got involved in the problems of our island, especially Failon Ngayon (Failon Now). This is a success story about West Cove. They really pursued the case and did not stop until the law was enforced.

TED FAILON HOST: At, ang moral of the story…

TED FAILON HOST: And the moral of the story…

LEONARD TIROL BORACAY ACTION GROUP AND RESORT OWNER: Pag wala kayong permit, huwag muna kayo magpatayo. The law is the law, ‘no?

LEONARD TIROL BORACAY ACTION GROUP AND RESORT OWNER: If you don’t have a permit, do not start the construction. The law is the law.

IVEN REYES PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR, PENRO-AKLAN: Bago po mag-construct, alamin ang tamang batas.

IVEN REYES PROVINCIAL DIRECTOR, PENRO-AKLAN: Know the law before you build something.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Huwag umasa dun sa mga pangako ng iba.

CRISOSTOMO AQUINO OWNER, BORACAY WEST COVE: Do not be enticed by false promises.

TED FAILON HOST: Ang tanging matitira sa West Cove Resort ni Ginoong Crisostomo Aquino ay tatlumpung porsyento na lamang. Ang bahaging ito, sigurado, gigibain rin! Sabi ni Ginoong Aquino siya po daw ay namuhunan ng milyon-milyong piso sa konstruksyon ng kanyang resort. Pero tila po nakaligtaan niyang mamuhunan po naman ng prosesong ligal. Well, yan po ang kanyang daang tinahak pero ito nga po ang lagpak! Sa ngayon, meron pang labing-isang mga resort sa Boracay na walang ECC! Kaya, ano’ng ating hihintayin na naman? Pangungulit sa DENR, sa DILG, o maging kay Mayor Yap? Naku ha. Magkakaalaman tayo!

TED FAILON HOST: Only thirty percent of Mr. Aquino’s West Cove will remain standing after the demolition. This portion will definitely be demolished too! According to Mr. Aquino, he invested millions of pesos for the construction of this resort. But he forgot to invest according to legal procedures. Well, that is the road he chose to take. Unfortunately, it led to his downfall! At present, there are still eleven resorts in Boracay that have no ECC. So, what do we do again? Constant follow-ups and coordination with the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), and even Mayor Yap? Wow. We will find out for ourselves!

27/23

Yan po ang isyung napapanahon. Atin pong hinimay, ipinaliwanag para madali pong maintindihan ng lahat. We break it down. We simplify. You know what I’m saying? Dahil ang mga isyung ito, tayong lahat po ay laging may pakialam! Failon Ngayon… solusyon at aksyon ngayon!

This is a very timely issue that we meticulously discussed so that everyone can understand it easily. We break it down. We simplify. You know what I’m saying? Because we should be involved in issues like these! Failon Now… solution and action right away!

END