|
Sunday, February 08, 2004
Osmeņa told: Show income papers
By Karen M. Flores
CEBU CITY -- Jose Mari Osmeņa now has the distinction of being the only Cebuano candidate so far required to submit his income tax return (ITR).
Acting Provincial Election Supervisor Edwin Cadungog wrote to Jose Mari to submit his ITR in the last three years and "any other document to substantiate your claim that you have the capacity to engage a serious campaign commensurate to the position, for which you filed your certificate of candidacy."
The Kilusang Bagong Lipunan candidate is answering a petition for disqualification filed by his nephew, Vice Gov. John Gregory "John-john" Osmeņa, who is also running for governor.
In a separate interview, John-john said he is "overjoyed" with the decision of his father, Sen. John "Sonny" Osmeņa, to ask his leaders who are not yet committed to other candidates to support his gubernatorial bid.
Although his father still refuses to mount a campaign for him or give "a cent" for his campaign kitty, John-john said the "morale boost" to his candidacy is more important than the financial support Sonny said he will give to his other leaders in Cebu, but not his son.
"I had so long hoped for him to support me. I would rather have moral support than quiet financial support. The endorsement is much better, it's bittersweet," John-john said in an interview Friday night.
He is hopeful that with a statement from the senator, long-time followers of his father among congressmen and mayors in the province will throw their support behind him.
Not a gauge
Sonny had been vocal in the past about his opposition to John-john's gubernatorial ambition, because he would rather have his only son run for congressman.
Last Friday, though, Sonny said he is "advising" his local leaders to support John-john if they had not made prior arrangements with other candidates for governor, except Gwendolyn Garcia.
For his part, Jose Mari submitted a certification issued by the Bogo-Medellin Sugarcane Planters' Association Inc. that his 85 hectares of land in Barangay Caputatan, Medellin town is expected to yield 8,250 bags of sugar (at 50 kilos each) worth P7.053 million in the 2003-2004 season.
He also submitted a land title covering a 300-square-meter property in Barangay Banilad, Mandaue City.
Pedro Leslie Salva, Jose Mari's lawyer, said in their reply to the Commission on Elections that "the respondent does not wish to flaunt material possessions, such not being a gauge for one to qualify as a public servant."
Salva pointed out that Jose Mari even has more property than John-john, who wants him disqualified and his certificate of candidacy cancelled.
To qualify for an elective seat in the province, a candidate must be: a Filipino citizen; a registered voter in the province and a resident for at least one year; able to read and write Filipino or any local dialect; and at least 23 years old on election day.
(February 8, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Candidates start giving NPA guns, money: AFP