Thursday, March 06, 2008 Senate probe on NBN contract 'turning into political circus'
AFTER seeing a series of Senate probes on allegations of corruption in the US$329-million national broadband network (NBN) contract, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is worried that the senators are neglecting problems that need legislation because they are giving much attention to “sensational issues.”
For the mayor, such attention has reached the point of being “counter-productive.”
In a news conference yesterday, he cited the delay in amending the Local Government Code as an example.
“It is stated in the code that it should be renewed after five years because the authors of the code know that they are not perfect. They already saw the need for a new code to update it, to enhance it, and allow local governments to effectively provide service to their constituents. We reached year 2005 but bisan (even a) draft wala gyud (there’s none),” he said.
Osmeña stressed, though, that he is not against any Senate investigations but he already had enough because “we have more problems that should be addressed by legislation.”
“I may be wrong, but this whole affair is turning into a political circus. That’s my perception. It’s easier now to draw the single line that they are not really pursuing due process. They are doing a media circus,” he said.
Sensational issues
“The Senate is not the court. I see a pattern that (sensational issues) are all they seem to care about while we the local government executives try to call for their attention. Why don’t (they) apply as a judge, ombudsman, city prosecutor or city fiscal? Actually, it’s nice to watch the investigation. But after a while, enough!” he said.
The mayor has just arrived from the meeting of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) in Manila last Monday, when he participated in the league’s drafting and signing of their manifesto in support of President Arroyo’s administration.
He is also willing to join the President in the unity walk, even if it rains, as one way of expressing that he’ll be there when she needs the league to support her administration.
Only 77 of the 119 members were able to attend the meeting but it was still a good attendance for Osmeña, considering the delay in the announcement of the event.
He said the President is “good” and “has always been helpful to Cebu.”
“She gives us opportunities, the recognition, and gives out to the local executives here the panic button. When I have problems with an agency, it’s resolved immediately because she’s there,” he said.
“I am not talking from a nationalistic position. I am talking from my very parochial stand. Bahala na sila sa Manila. If I have to make a choice right now, I’d rather do what’s best for my constituents in Cebu City. Ato man ni. Unya, who will we replace her with? (former President) Erap (Estrada)? Susmarya. Simbako. Look at what he did to us,” he added.
Osmeña also commented on the plan of whistleblower Rodolfo Lozada Jr. to visit Cebu, saying that he is welcome to visit and that Osmeña is “not going to kick him out.”
“It doesn’t mean I believe what Lozada has to say but because I strongly support transparency, openness, and discussion of ideas. We’re not trying to hide anything from the Cebuanos. I think he has become a political ad. I’d rather welcome the tourists who spend their money here. Why would I give him more importance than the investors, tourists, and visitors spending in Cebu?” he said. (NRC)
