Wednesday, December 05, 2007 Ending land swap deal row may also be Tomas’ basis for political ties in 2010
WHETHER Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña will support Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s possible bid for a national post in 2010 will depend on one thing: her willingness to resolve the Provincial Ordinance 93-1 issue.
Osmeña said yesterday that even if Sen. Mar Roxas mediates between him and the governor, it will be hopeless to solve the problem if Garcia does not cooperate.
The aborted land swap is the only sore point between him and the governor, he said, and it may also be the basis for his political affiliations in 2010.
“Other than that, there is no problem. But as long as it exists and it creates uncertainty among the occupants, even if it’s St. Joseph who comes down here to mediate, unless they protect the people and give them security of tenure, it’s hopeless. I’m very firm on that,” Osmeña told a news conference yesterday.
Roxas said he is willing to be the go-between for the governor and the mayor.
“They are both my good friends and I admire both of them. I am open to do what I can to patch up whatever differences they have,” he said, but added that someone has to ask him because he does not want to appear “pakialamero.”
Out of proportion
Roxas was the guest speaker of the Radio Mindanao Network (RMN) managerial conference yesterday and he was asked during the open forum if he can do something about the conflict between the two local chief executives.
But for Garcia, the issue between her and Osmeña has been blown out of proportion.
“You are blowing the issue out of proportion. Why? Are you spending sleepless nights because of this? I think, both of us as local chief executives are performing our jobs and performing it rather well. We have not neglected our constituents and we will continue to serve Cebu well. Why are others so concerned? Are they serving Cebu? They will serve Cebu better if they think about what they can do for Cebu rather than make up issues,” she said in a separate interview.
Garcia still insists that she and Roxas are more interesting as a love team rather than a political tandem, amid reports that she is being considered as Roxas’ running mate in the 2010 elections.
Possibility
Roxas also did not have a categorical answer to this and just said, “I’m a lover and not a fighter.”
Both officials, however, said that it is too early to talk about the elections.
“People are more interested in the here and now and the here and now has endless possibilities,” Garcia said.
Garcia refused to comment on Osmeña’s statement that he will only support Garcia in her possible bid for a national position if the 93-1 issue will be resolved.
Even if the Province has not evicted some 5,000 families occupying Capitol-owned lots in the city, the mayor believes the possibility of being evicted anytime still worries them.
Osmeña said that two years after City Hall and Capitol officials agreed to swap properties, the occupants still have no assurance that they will not be asked to leave.
Sore point
Both parties had agreed to swap Capitol-owned lots scattered in 11 barangays for a piece of the City Government’s prime property at the north reclamation area.
But in March 2006, the Capitol cancelled the agreement and demanded a value-for-value exchange of properties. Occupants were subsequently threatened with eviction notices.
“You might think right now there is no eviction and people are not being hurt? They are! You can’t live with uncertainty hanging over your head. That’s why I’m not happy with this relationship with the governor. If she thinks it’s okay because there is no eviction, it’s not okay,” Osmeña said.
When asked if he will support Garcia if reports on her bid for the vice presidency in 2010 are true, he said: “Like I said, there is only one sore point between the governor and I.”
The mayor also assured occupants that even when he is no longer mayor after 2010, his party Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan will defend them.
He said he is confident Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who is being groomed to run for mayor, will continue what he has done for the occupants.
“Michael will have to defend them. If he won’t, I’ll kill him,” he said in jest. “If he goes against it, I’m not going to support that kind of situation.” (LCR/MBG)
