SAt the risk of blowing our own horns, it seems like the Post has opened a pandora's box of sorts when no less than the Panglao municipal engineer has conceded that a controversial expansion project at the resort owned by Mayor Doloreich Dumaluan.

The full details are provided in an exclusive story in this issue but the point here is that the mayor obviously is living it up above the law. While mere mortals have to comply with each of nine requirements that compose the checklist for supporting documents for the issuance of a building permit, Dumaluan simply submitted one photocopy.

To no one's surprise, that lone piece of document was sufficient not only for the issuance of a document but as a protection from penalties arising from complaints of nosy journalists who cannot resist a big story when they see one.

It hurts that a town so rich in tourism potentials owing to its pristine white beaches and enchanting dive spots is now being put to shame by no less than its no. 1 citizen who is sending the message that all it takes to violate the law is to be elected into the top office in town.

While other investors have to painstakingly compile all the requirements so that their applications can be processed, another checklist is applied to the top law enforcer. Sad as it is, we sympathize with poor town workers who might wake up one day without a job if they dare implement the law to the letter and step on the biggest toe there is in the town.

It is an altogether different thing however when it involves a major government agency like the DENR. In a time when concern for the environment has become a mantra to people all over the globe, the DENR has taken on a stature of importance that makes it a plum post.

On one of her visits to Panglao, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became overly concerned about the encroachments of structures inside the 20-meter salvage zone. She has since made it clear she intends to spare Panglao from Boracay's fate by seeing to it that the laws are firmly in place.

The President however may just be in for a frustration. The DENR has not only failed to do something about the refusal of firms to comply with the requirements for the Environmental Compliance Certificate.

It has also been inutile in demolishing structures that intrude into the 20-meter salvage zone despite the marching orders given by the President.