Thursday, June 14, 2007 It’s go for Lahug school; order out
AFTER contradicting accusations of being a “rubber stamp” council, the Cebu City Council took a collective stand yesterday supporting Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s move to oppose the Capitol’s takeover of the Fuente Osmeña circle.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama said he does not agree with how the Province moved to recover the property, which was done through a letter informing the City Government that they will take over the park within 15 days.
In a privilege speech during their session yesterday, Rama took exception to the “rubber stamp council” tag from their opponents in the last elections, saying they have independently made their stand on certain issues, some of which were against the mayor’s views.
He enumerated some 20 issues that the 10th Sangguniang Panglungsod has taken a stand on, including the vigilante-style killings, the aborted land swap deal and more recently, the Lahug Elementary School and the Fuente Osmeña issues.
“This representation is not in agreement with what the Capitol has been doing, sending us a letter that after 15 days, they’ll assume ownership of the Fuente Osmeña circle. I am supporting the mayor’s stand in saying that it is possible only with a court order,” said Rama.
His privilege speech yesterday was supported by the councilors and was noted during the session.
Rama said he had to officially and formally answer accusations that the council is a “rubber stamp council” before their new term starts on June 30, “because lies repeated might become truth.”
The City Council’s approval of and support for Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s “whims” and projects was raised against the council in the last elections.
“I will never allow that the 10th Sangguniang Panglungsod will end without clarifying matters... having to be labeled as rubber stamp, I feel pain and some discomfort,” the vice mayor said.
As for the school building issue, Rama said they may have been quiet about it but the council took a stand when they decided to meet with the mayor to discuss the matter with him.
The council has helped make the mayor reconsider his decision and later agree to push through with the construction of the school building.
Osmeña signed yesterday morning the notice for Jegma Construction and Development Corp. to proceed with the construction of the 20-classroom, four-story building in Lahug Elementary School.
The contractor was ordered to begin construction with seven days of receipt of the notice.
City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said the contractor is willing to begin construction either today or tomorrow. (LCR)
