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Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Vidal's condition for mediation: Cebu guv, mayor must talk
CEBU CITY -- Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal said he will only mediate in the conflict between Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña if the two are willing to talk, said archdiocesan media liaison officer Monsignor Achilles Dakay.
“Dili siya magpatunga sa usa ka sabong (The cardinal doesn’t want to be caught in the middle),” Dakay said.
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Dakay made known the cardinal’s stance after Representative Antonio Cuenco (Cebu City, south district) saying on radio that he was worried about the effects the bickering between Capitol and the Cebu City Government will have on local politics and the economy, asked Vidal to lead the mediation efforts.
Congressman-elect Pablo John Garcia said Cuenco’s suggestion is worth looking into and that he will consult the governor, his sister, about it, but he stressed its viability depends on the sincerity of both parties.
He said that as of now, they believe they cannot be assured of the sincerity of the City.
Cuenco said he is arranging an appointment with Vidal when he gets back to Cebu Wednesday.
Initially, he wants the governor, Vice Governor Greg Sanchez, the mayor, Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Representative Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district) to be at the dialogue, but said that everything will depend on the cardinal.
He hopes to resolve all issues affecting the Province and the City, and restore the spirit of cooperation, amity and rapport between the two local government units, with the help of the cardinal.
“It’s not good to see all this bickering and people will be disappointed with their leaders if they can’t work together. Investments will be affected and there will be a ripple effect not only in politics,” Cuenco said.
Monsignor Dakay spoke in an interview with radio dyLA Monday afternoon.
He said the cardinal thought the conflict between the governor and Osmeña is not good because it scandalizes the people, especially children and youth who are studying.
After reading the newspapers, Vidal reportedly shared his thoughts about the matter during lunch Monday in his residence at the Archbishop’s Palace on Jakosalem Street, Cebu City.
“Dagko na sila. Magtinarong na unta ba (They should start acting their age),” Dakay quoted the prelate, who was referring to Garcia and Osmeña.
Dakay said Vidal is worried that the two political leaders, who are members of the archdiocese, are quarrelling.
“Saba na kaayo. Kon dili sila mahunong, dili mu-mediate si cardinal (Their fight is getting out of hand. If they won’t stop, cardinal won’t mediate),” said Dakay.
He told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview that Vidal will only mediate if the two warring parties are willing to settle their differences and meet.
Cuenco, for his part, believes Vidal is the only one who can talk some sense into the governor and the mayor, unlike Vice Governor Sanchez, who said they would need someone like the President to put an end to the quarrel.
“If the President will come, tingali ma-settle ang issues (maybe the matter will be settled),” Sanchez said over radio dyLA.
But Cuenco hopes that with Vidal’s help, Garcia and Osmeña will agree to a dialogue, so they can discuss the issues, like the Provincial 93-1 lots, Capitol’s development of Ciudad, the ownership of Fuente Osmeña Circle and the school building project in Barangay Lahug.
“So with the intercession of the cardinal, we hope to bring back the spirit of understanding,” Cuenco said in a phone interview Wednesday.
If the congressman had his way, Lahug Barangay Captain Mary Ann de los Santos and Pablo John will also be part of succeeding talks.
De los Santos is facing what she called a political battle with the mayor, which resulted in the suspension of the construction of the school building in her barangay.
“Maybe a dialogue between Mary Ann and the mayor will be the second phase because right now the animosity is still hot,” Cuenco said.
Meanwhile, Pablo John, who beat Antonio Yapha Jr.’s wife to win the third congressional seat in the last elections, said that if the Province agrees to a dialogue, “we will go there with clean hands and good faith.”
“Who would not want a solution to these problems but that would depend on a lot of things,” he said.
He explained that sincerity and good faith on both parties as well as commitment to comply with whatever is agreed upon are two essential things in any kind of talks for negotiated solutions for the problems hounding the two local government units. (NRC/LCR/MBG of Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cebu. (June 12, 2007 issue)
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