Two resorts in the Davao Region have become the focus of public and media attention not as tourist attractions but as potential corruption issues against their politician owners.
El Don Resort in Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental is reported as owned by Davao de Oro Vice Governor Maricar Zamora, who is running in the First District Congress race in the May 9 polls.
Zamora, a former congresswoman, has admitted being co-owner of the El Don beach resort
New Barili Mountain View Resort is reported as owned by Davao de Oro Second District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, who is seeking reelection.
Gonzaga has publicly admitted he and his wife, former Court of Appeals associate justice Dorothy Gonzaga, are co-owners of a corporation behind the P300 million inland resort built on a 200-hectare ancestral domain land in Maco town inDavao de Oro.
The Gonzaga couple, however, has yet to reveal registration papers of the corporation, despite public and media demand for transparency.
GONZAGA PROPAGANDIST: DAVDEORO REP. RUWEL PETER GONZAGA IS SOLE OWNER OF CONTROVERSIAL P300 MILLION NEW BARILI MOUNTAIN VIEW RESORT
GONZAGA ADMITS OWNERSHIP OF CONTROVERSIAL P300-M HIGH-END DAVAO DE ORO INLAND RESORT
Zamora and Gonzaga and their respective media propagandists, fueled by the election fever, have been exchanging accusations over the resorts as tainted by corruption, hinting the facilities were built on ill-gotten wealth fleeced from people’s money.
The clash between Zamora and Gonzaga , who are running in different congressional districts, is fired up by political parties locking horns in the May polls.: PDP-Laban/Reporma of Gonzaga versus Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) of vice presidential aspirant Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Zamora (HNP) is up against Monkayo vice mayor Johanna Gentugaya (PDP-Laban/Reporma); the reelection of Gonzaga (PDP-Laban/Reporma) is contested y former governor Jose Caballero (HNP).
The race for governor is a battle between senior Provincial Board member Arturo “Chiongkee” Uy (HNP) and Gonzaga’s wife Dorothy. Incumbent Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy is running for vice governor against an independent candidate posing a token challenge.
THE DURIAN POST 