Senatorial candidate unfazed by Boracay hate campaign
Defensor
Administration senatorial candidate Michael Defensor is unfazed with the campaign of a group of resort owners in Boracay not to vote for him.
"I will still campaign in Boracay if there is an opportunity," Defensor told reporters here last Sunday after a press conference of the Team Unity candidates.
Defensor said not all resort owners support the campaign of the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI).
The BFI, a group of owners of resorts, restaurants and other businesses on the island-resort, earlier said they will campaign against Defensor.
The BFI is blaming Defensor for the presidential proclamation issued by President Macapagal-Arroyo last year, which declared Boracay as alienable and disposable.
The proclamation, drafted when Defensor was the secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, classified 628.96 hectares or 60.94 percent of the 1,032-hectare island as alienable and disposable on the premise.
The areas classified as alienable and disposable which are used for commercial purposes will be dispose of by the DENR through public bidding while those for residential use not exceeding 1,000 square meters will be sold directly to the occupant.
The resort owners said they could lose the land that they occupy through the public bidding despite their substantial investment through the years.
But Defensor said he should not be blamed for the proclamation.
He said land claimants have been clamoring for years to have their properties titled and it was only during his stint at the DENR that this was made possible.
Defensor he will apologize to BFI chair Orlando Sacay if he has offended him personally but the senatorial candidate said he was just fulfilling his obligations.
Sacay earlier said they will campaign among the 13,000 residents and guests of the island-resort.
BFI members will also campaign among tourists expected to flock this summer by handing out flyers to residents and guests discussing the land titling issue and why they should not vote for Defensor.
The resort owners have adopted the campaign slogan: "No to Defensor! Tutol kay Tol ang Boracay!", according to Sacay, referring to the campaign moniker of the former chief of staff of President Macapagal-Arroyo.