Wednesday, February 28, 2007 Alvin cites summary murders, other points v. Tomas
THE official campaign doesn’t start until March 30, but the debate on Cebu City’s electoral issues is underway.
If raising the issues against incumbent Cebu City officials were enough to guarantee them victory, the opposition bloc believes they are already winners, said former mayor Alvin Garcia.
Asked to comment on the opposition’s issues and possible candidates, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said, “Let us respect the process of letting the people decide.”
Although he still refused to confirm if he is running against Osmeña for a third time, Garcia revealed he underwent an executive panel yesterday to check if he is physically fit to do anything.
In a press conference, Garcia’s staff also distributed to reporters a two-page report of issues against Osmeña’s administration, including the absence of a master plan for the South Road Properties (SRP) and the lack of initiatives to promote Cebu City as an information technology hub, among others.
Osmeña answered Garcia’s issues one by one, except for the vigilante killings and the city’s crime rate. (See graphics)
In his news conference yesterday, the mayor said, “Di ko motubag niana. Ang mga tawo na ang motubag niana (Let the people answer that).”
Big split
Erstwhile allies, Osmeña and Garcia served as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, from 1988 to 1995. Garcia then served six years as mayor, from 1995 to 2001, but lost in the 2001 and 2004 elections to Osmeña.
Although he also hit Osmeña for allegedly starting quarrels with local officials and for the City’s refusal to issue a permit for Capitol’s Ciudad project, Garcia said he will not use the lot swap issue to gain leverage against the mayor.
“To use this as an issue to get votes is very, very self-serving. I don’t want to use family relations to advance my political ambitions if I have any,” said Garcia, a cousin of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
However, he said he plans to reopen talks with Capitol on the planned swap of the three-hectare Department of Agriculture 7 property on M. Velez St. to open an alternative route to the south district and to make the area available for a shopping complex, hotel or cinemas.
He said he first discussed the plan with his uncle and former governor Pablo Garcia. “Pero unsaon pagbuhat ana if imong awayon si Gwen? (But how can you accomplish that if you pick a fight with the governor?) Tomas has to swallow his pride,” he said.
On the SRP issue, he said a zoning plan could help sell the property at a good price.
Wild birds
He also noted that the construction of the Association of Barangay Councils building on a prime area in the SRP shows Osmeña acts according to his “whims and caprices.”
Osmeña countered that the SRP has a master plan, contrary to Garcia’s claim, only that the City has to adjust it to fit the demands of major developers.
Instead, he lashed out at Garcia administration’s alleged failure to fill Pond A of the SRP, which turned into a wild bird sanctuary.
“Remember, I did not want to pay the SRP until the contractor would give me the list of the billing materials? ...I didn’t want to pay. I was just pressured by the OECF (Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund, now the Japan Bank for International Cooperation) to pay it. So we finally paid it. Now you look at it. It lacks half a meter of filling materials. What happened to the filling materials? Ghost. At least nabutangan ug itik (the place has wild ducks),” Osmeña said.
Garcia also revealed yesterday more names for the opposition’s City Council slate. They are scheduled to announce a short list of 12 to 15 names on Friday.
Prospects
Among them are former councilors Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Carmen Piramide, Danilo Fernan, Anthony Jones Luy and Avenescio Piramide; lawyers Salvador Solima, Gines Abellana, Fritz Quiñanola, Danny Arguedo and Joy Caballes; Dr. Billy Jaca; Barangay Captains Danilo Lim, Joel Garganera, Manuel Guanzon, Jerry Guardo and Jose Navarro; Duljo-Fatima Barangay Councilor Jenkin Cabanit; former barangay captain Honorato Abella; Andy Borres; Boy Abella-Quezon; Lemar Alcover; Erlinda Madarang; and Laureano Rogero.
He has yet to talk to basketball star Ramon Fernandez, lawyer Gloria Lastimosa-Dalawampu and businessman Bunny Pages.
The group’s possible candidates for vice mayor are Tony Luy, lawyer Ramiro Madarang, former councilor Franklin Seno and Alvin’s son, Raymond.
Genuine Opposition Cebu City head and south district congressional aspirant Jonathan Guardo said the group is ready for battle.
He also said they might ask Raymond to run if Alvin decides not to do so. Raymond, in a dyLA interview, said he is willing to run if the group asks him.
For his part, Osmeña confirmed that Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros is not interested to run for councilor. This will leave the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan with one slot open in the north district.
But the mayor said, though, that his former environmental consultant and political leader Art Barit is interested, as well as Basak Pardo Barangay Councilor Dave Tumulak.
“There are many who are interested. We will just wait,” he said.
Reacting to the opposition’s initial list, Osmeña said: “Whatever they want, I don’t like to interfere in that. Pero arang-arang because some of those in their lineup are recycled losers. So I will pretend that I’m afraid. Dalawampu cannot even win as president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. She’s a lawyer of many robbery suspects, drug suspects.”
While “flattered” to be considered, Dalawampu refused to comment on a position not personally offered to her.
“I am just a lawyer. Being a lawyer, you can handle a case for the complainant or for the accused and it is my duty that the constitutional rights of the accused are protected,” Dalawampu said.
She added that politics may not be right for her because of her “frankness” and that the closest she ever came to politics was serving as Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano’s election lawyer.
“I make a better lawyer than a politician,” Dalawampu said. (CYR/GRA/JGA)
What they said
Alvin
Tomas
Absence of Waterfront Development Project during Asean summit because it was not pursued
The Waterfront Development Project would have meant a major dislocation and demolitions
Lack of support for Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology, other information technology initiatives under Cebu is IT program
What IT has he brought to Cebu? He's got no vision. We have all these call centers coming in. What did he bring in?
Failure to start critical infrastructure like Guadalupe-Lahug alternative road to decongest traffic
At least we have new markets. I don't want to give self-serving statements
Failure to pay P60,000 electric bill for Cebu Heritage monument in Parian
I don't know anything about that (Heritage monument electric bills). The City gave up millions of pesos from Pagcor funds for that project that cost P40 million
Absence of master plan, zoning ordinance for SRP
SRP has a master plan, only that the City has to adjust the plan to fit to the demands of major developers
Construction of ABC building on prime area on SRP
ABC building was built on an SRP prime lot because it be would be embarrassing if barangays do not have a place there
Inspiring vigilante killings
I won't answer that (vigilante killings). Let the people answer that. Is it safer now?
Quarrelling with neighboring local governments, Capitol
I’m just coming to the defense of local investors. Why, are we persecuting Norkis? For Talisay, what do we have in return?
