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Thursday, January 13, 2005
Tom taps urban poor in fight vs. gambling
By Linette C. Ramos
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Having run out of allies in his campaign against gambling, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is counting on the city’s more than 500 urban poor homeowners’ associations to help him fight video carrera operations.
Osmeña vowed he will start a crackdown on police, barangay officials, prosecutors and those suspected to be involved in illegal gambling operations after the Sinulog.
The mayor’s move follows his order to shut down Barangay Lorega’s abattoir effective last Monday, as punishment for barangay officials’ failure to curb illegal gambling and drugs in the area.
Electricity
He also cut off the electricity connections in the slaughterhouse, as well as the barangay hall’s “illegal” connection to it.
The mayor now plans to have consultations with urban poor groups in the city to find out if he will get their support in his campaign.
The mayor is confident he will get their support since they were also the ones who helped him in the last elections.
In a news conference yesterday, Osmeña said he needs the urban poor to affirm their political support and to express that they will be behind him in the fight against video carrera.
“It’s important that they express it because it will be easier for me to crack down on the police, the barangay officials, fiscals and anyone suspected to be involved in video carrera operations,” he said.
Osmeña added he will fight video carrera with more resolve if the urban poor groups signify their support.
Losing end
“I’ll continue. That’s all I want to hear. It’s an important tool to me when they say we’re behind you because that’s where my power is coming from. I’m just really very worried that illegal gambling has penetrated the government and I’m at the losing end,” he said.
As to Lorega’s “punishment,” Barangay Chief Fortunato Parawan said he will appeal to the mayor to reconsider his decision, especially after they were able to minimize illegal drugs and gambling activities in their area.
But Osmeña stood pat on his decision, saying that he has had enough of the illegal activities.
“It’s okay, they’re always welcome to talk to me but I had it already up to the neck,” said the mayor.
(January 13, 2005 issue)
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