THE “former political has-been” said that one of the reasons he accepted the challenge to a debate against his opponents for the mayoralty race in the May elections is because it would give him the opportunity to expose the anomaly committed by the previous administration in the multi-billion deal at the South Road Properties (SRP) with the three major developers.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP city chapter) is sponsoring a debate for all mayoralty and vice mayoral candidates. He said he had been longing for a proper forum so he could inform the Cebuanos about the anomaly committed by his predecessor in the SRP deal in cahoots with the buyers, SM Prime Holdings, Ayala Land Inc. and Filinvest Land Inc.
He even chided the local media for not exposing this anomaly because, he said, the media is afraid of these three leading real estate developers. These developers bought a 45-hectare lot in the SRP at the price of P38,000 per square during the time of former mayor Michael Rama, which the “former political has-been” viewed as highly, grossly disadvantageous to the interest of the City Government. He bragged that at the prevailing price at that time (that was four years ago) he could sell SRP lots at P110,000 per square meter.
What anomaly is he talking about? And why wait for a debate that this anomaly will be exposed? He can expose this anytime before the public through the local media or through the social media. If he suspects that the local media is afraid to expose this anomaly, for whatever reasons, by all means he can inform the public through other platforms like his Facebook account. In the social media, nobody can control him because that is his personal account. Don’t you think the local legitimate media will not carry the story if it came from him? Why is he accusing the media of being afraid of the three developers? Because of advertising backlash? Oh, come on? Don’t blame the media for your own failure.
In a debate, there is a time constraint. Debaters are only given limited time. They cannot expound their thoughts and opinions in matters and issues raised during the forum unless they will debate for 24 hours. A debater cannot monopolize the talking.
If he has solid evidence and proof that the SRP deal during Rama’s time was anomalous, by all means, expose it now. Or file the necessary charges before the Ombudsman. Debate during this campaign season is not the proper venue and forum to run after those who were involved in the anomaly. A debate and an expose cannot send those involved to jail and pay for the anomaly they allegedly committed. Although, it may condition the minds of the voters during election time.
Is he sure that the deal was anomalous? Or it is only a figment of his imagination? This issue has been there for several years ago. When he assumed office after winning the 2016 elections against Rama, his first order of the day was to rescind the contract on that SRP deal. But until now, he failed to do it. Why? Because he has no legal ground and basis to rescind the contract because the transaction was aboveboard. Not even a single graft case or plunder was filed against Rama before the Ombudsman. Now, he is talking of anomaly?
And if there was an anomaly, why did he attempt to negotiate with the three developers? If you recall, he ordered one of his minion at the City Council, Councilor Dave Tumulak, to sponsor a resolution giving the chief executive the authority to negotiate with the buyers for possible settlement and compromise. If he is in his right mind and senses, why settle for an anomalous transaction? He should go to court.
This “former political has-been” always quacks like a duck. He has always described the SRP deal as anomalous, but he cannot find evidence to prove his claim. But what about his deal with SM Prime Holdings and Filinvest, which also bought a parcel of land during his time at P9,000 per square meter? Was the transaction aboveboard? If it is his deal, it’s aboveboard. If it’s other people’s deal, it’s anomalous? Are you sure that you are also clean? O nasuko lang gyud ka kay dili ikaw maoy nakadawat sa commission?