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Thursday, October 19, 2006
Ex-senator takes up P1.5 bet, sets 3 conditions
CEBU CITY -- After refusing the P1.5-million bet on the timely completion of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), former senator John "Sonny" Osmeña is now taking architect Manuel Guanzon's wager, but with conditions.
In a letter addressed to Guanzon, Osmeña enumerated his "premises" to ensure that they are "talking about the same thing."
For one, Osmeña wants 24-hour access to the building site, both for him and his representatives, to "check on compliance with the engineering plans."
That is aside from asking Guanzon to furnish him the detailed engineering plan and scope of work, including foundation plan, building plan and electrical, mechanical and plumbing works, "among others."
Guanzon could not be contacted. But the Capitol, which is funding the P450-million facility, said Osmeña is "afraid to put his money where his mouth is, so he just opens his mouth some more.
"Pag sure uy. Deal or no deal?" said lawyer Pablo John Garcia, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia's brother and Capitol consultant on information, organization and management.
Osmeña, who earlier said betting on the CICC completion by November 15 is "surambao," also wants a copy of the program of work and estimates, the bill of materials and vouchers for materials delivered and the contracts with various contractors, sub-contractors and consultants.
Lastly, Osmeña told Guanzon in the letter that they constitute a "board or panel of evaluators."
He specified that the panel comprises well-known contractors, two or three engineering consultancy firms, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Commission on Audit in Central Visayas.
The panel, according to Osmeña, shall inspect and determine whether the structural, architectural, electrical and other works have been installed and functioning by November 15.
"We can deposit the amount in an agreed bank. If the panel determines the structure complete, you collect the money. Otherwise, I go to the bank the next morning," Osmeña wrote to Guanzon.
The CICC is the main venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in December, where heads of state from Asia and Europe will gather.
In an interview, Pablo John said Osmeña is imposing all his unnecessary conditions because he fears that he will lose his money.
"Just say if you are willing to bet or not. Why place so many conditions? Hadlok man diay mapildi," said Pablo John.
He is certain that the Presidential Security Group will never allow Osmeña's condition for a 24-hour access. "And has he seen the stairs at the CICC? Is he sure he wants access to that?"
A certificate of completion and acceptance is always issued for every project, he pointed out.
The continuing debate whether the CICC could be finished on time had prompted Guanzon to raise his bet from P500,000 to P1.5 million.
Osmeña earlier said that what could be finished is only the "shell" but not the finishes, but Garcia yesterday assured that the Capitol committed to deliver a complete and operational CICC.
Pablo John accused Osmeña of being anti-Cebuano "that's why he wants the CICC to fail."
The former senator also had revealed that a source from Malacañang told him the CICC will not be used for the Asean summit on December 11 to 14, even if it will be completed.
On this, Pablo John said, "Mura man siyag Boy Abunda, magtuo-tuo og tsismis. He not only deals in second-hand structural steel, he also believes in second-hand information."
Garcia showed reporters a copy of the Asean organizing committee schedule of activities showing that some 90 percent of the summit will be held in the CICC.
"This is not from unidentified sources, this is from the organizing committee," he said.
Osmeña, in a radio interview, also accused Governor Garcia of being "Imeldific" for rushing the infrastructure at the Mandaue Reclamation Area.
In reply, Pablo John said, "The difference between Sonny and the governor is that Sonny spent more than P900 million on feasibility studies where nothing came out and nothing was built when he was still Senate finance committee chair. The governor is spending P450 million for CICC that will be completed, usable and revenue-generating. Sonny is not Imeldific, he is Marcosian." (JPM/Sun.Star Cebu)
(October 19, 2006 issue)
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