Thursday, June 07, 2007 Espinoza: Not a walk in the park for Pabling By Elias L. Espinoza Free Zone
REELECTED Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is perhaps still suffering from a May 14 polls hangover when he ordered the scrapping of the construction of a four-story elementary school building in Lahug.
The move was plain and simple retaliation to what Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos may have said during the campaign period. De los Santos ran for mayor against Osmeña.
The mayor may have made his point to the Lahug voters and his political adversaries but at the end of the day the pupils of Lahug Elementary School were the ones deprived of additional classrooms this school year.
Which brings us to the question of whether Osmeña has a conscience or not. I think the answer is in the negative. The man has no scruples. He is self-centered and sanctimonious. He thinks he is the law.
Don’t forget, Mayor, that you’re not the law and that the money allocated for the project is not yours. It is taxpayers’ money that residents of Lahug also paid for. So, why deprive the children of barangay residents of the school building?
On the other hand, the “Piso Mo, Eskwelahan Ko” fund raising drive led by de los Santos and parents of Lahug schoolchildren has gained ground. This is a slap on Mayor Tomas’ face.
And I suppose that the P5 million that Gov. Gwen Garcia pledged for the school building was not meant to spite Osmeña despite their strained relationship over the scuttled land swap deal.
Knowing Mayor Tomas’ character, I don’t think he will eat back his words. But never mind him. With the fund raising drive, Lahug pupils can have their school building built from contributions of people with big hearts, or people who are unlike you Mayor.
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Commitment or “palabra de honor” could cause a strain in Rep. Raul del Mar’s relationship with fellow Cebuano legislators, particularly congressman-elect Pabling Garcia, who is challenging Jose de Venecia for House Speaker.
Del Mar is supporting de Venecia over Garcia because of the commitment he made to the speaker long before the May 14 polls. I know del Mar honors his words and he is a man of action.
Del Mar read in this corner last year what I wrote about the decrepit Hi-way 77 Road in Talamban. He immediately ordered the road’s repair without being asked.
While Garcia said he does not begrudge del Mar for his stance, one can note undertones in his statement. But del Mar’s stand is understandable because he can’t be deputy if Pabling becomes speaker.
Under the prevailing circumstance, I don’t think Cebu legislators can give their full support to Garcia. Rep. Tony Cuenco, for example, has also announced his support for de Venecia.
The election for House Speaker is about who has on his side the most number of congressmen. And even if President Arroyo will say she won’t meddle in the process, we know she has her own preference.
On the other hand, I can’t blame Garcia if he was disheartened and felt bad because of the support of Cuenco and del Mar to de Venecia.
Meanwhile, we have yet to hear a statement from Rep. Eddie Gullas on this issue. Earlier, rumors swirled that Gullas and del Mar are also interested in the post of House Speaker. In fact, del Mar frankly said that if de Venecia won’t seek reelection he will run for the post.
If ever Garcia wins, it would therefore be not like a walk in the park. It’s going to be close. We wish you the best of luck Congressman Pabling. And may the best man win.
