UNA wants Miss Earth event in Palawan cancelled

MANILA, Philippines - The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice President Jejomar Binay has asked organizers of the Miss Earth pageant to cancel the holding of one of their events in an island resort allegedly owned by former Makati City vice mayor Ernesto Mercado.

“I have serious misgivings about the holding of an international event in the controversial 100-hectare Coron Underwater Garden Resort in Palawan,” UNA interim president Toby Tiangco said in his letter to Carousel Productions’ Ramon Monzon and Lorraine Schuck.

Tiangco said Mercado, using his ill-gotten wealth, acquired the resort.

Mercado has accused Binay of getting kickbacks from various infrastructure projects during his term as Makati City mayor. He also accused the Vice President of owning several properties, including a 350-hectare farm in Rosario, Batangas. Binay has denied all the allegations.

Tiangco warned the organizers of the possible repercussions of holding the event in the high-end resort.