4 Bicol Congressmen declared “Persona non Grata” by the Aklan Provincial Government

By Joey Natividad
Senior Editor

The Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan declared four Bicol Congressmen as “Persona non Grata” for allegedly intervening in Aklan affairs, forcing the 4 Bicol solons to withdraw its House Bill over fear from an impending backlash.

Declared “Persona non Grata” by the Aklan Provincial Government on Monday, August 8, 2022 are Congressman Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte (2nd District Of Camarines Sur), Congressman Tsuyoshi Anthony G. Horibata (1st District Of Camarines Sur), Congressman Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte (5th District Of Camarines Sur), and Bicol Saro Representative Congressman Nicolas C. Enciso VIII.

On the same day, Monday, the 4 Bicol solons withdrew the bill from the House Committee which received formally the communique.

The 4 Bicol solons’ action has angered the Aklan Provincial Goverrnment after they filed a bill, or proposed law that will place Boracay under government intervention.

The bill filed, House Bill No. 1085 or Proposing The Creation Of A Boracay Island Development Authority As A Government-Owned And Controlled Corporation (GOCC) is allegedly similar to House Bill No. 09286 that was junked in the previous 18th Congress.
According to Aklan Sangguniang Panlalawigan, in its social media post, the Board Members unanimously approved the resolution filed by Vice Governor Atty. Reynaldo M. Quimpo of declaring the 4 Congressmen as “Persona non Grata”.

The bill has rubbed the sentiment of the provincial government as having been “bypassed” and lack of respect for the Aklan leadership and constituency from the lawmakers over the filing of the said bill.

“It is the general sentiments of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan and the people of Aklan to declare… rather to adapt a resolution to declare the Hon. Congressman Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte of 2nd District Of Camarines Sur, Congressman Tsuyoshi Anthony G. Horibata of 1st District Of Camarines Sur, Congressman Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte of 5th District of Camarines Sur, and Bicol Saro Representative Congressman Nicolas C. Enciso VIII as Persona Non Grata in the Province Of Aklan,” said Board Member Apol Cleope in the social media post.

The Aklan Provincial Government believes the creation of BIDA GOCC is “catastrophic” and its effect “irreversible” on the socio-economic well being of Aklanons.

Meanwhile, the 4 Bicol congressmen had withdrawn the said bill, sending an official communication to Congressman Manuel Jose Dalipe, Chairman, Committe on Rules and Majority Floor Leader and 2nd District Cong. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. of Aklan which was only received on August 8.
According to reports, it was earlier on August 3, that the 4 solons had withdrawn the Boracay bill but the official communique was received by the Committee on August 8.

The Boracay bill had forced the Aklan Provincial Government to declare the 4 Bicol lawmakers as “Persona non Grata”.