CEBU City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella criticized Mayor Tomas Osmeña for the “amnesty” he granted to motorcycle drivers caught counterflowing.

Labella described the action of his opponent in next year’s mayoral race as a “political maneuver.”

“Maybe he has finally realized that what he did was not legally correct and I think in doing so, considering that the election is forthcoming, maybe there is an election dimension here that is why he is constrained to release them,” he said.

The Cebu City Transportation Office has started releasing the motorcycles that were brought to its impounding area last November.

Labella, Barug PDP-Laban’s standard bearer in Cebu City, said several drivers sought his help after their motorcycles were confiscated and brought to the impounding area for 30 days.

Osmeña decided to give “amnesty” to the violators to cushion the impact of the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order against a Mandaluyong court ruling that barred authorities from intervening in the operations of Angkas, a motorcycle ride-hailing service.

Since the public can no longer hail Angkas and habal-habal, Osmeña said the violators would need their motorcycles. (From PAC of Superbalita Cebu/ KAL)