Over my program, “Bobby Nalzaro On Board, Saksi,” former Cebu City councilor Mary Ann de los Santos admitted having stripped her office with office furniture, claiming that almost all the items inside were her personal things. She provided me with the list of the items she owned and took when her term expired last June 30. The items included Magkuno and Yakal tables. (Magkuno and Yakal are kinds of local trees that are very hard).
Almost all the items that included chairs and tables used by her staff were her personal belongings so it was only proper that she would retrieve all those items, she said. She did not destroy the tiles and ceiling, unlike what her political master, the “has-been politician” did to the mayor’s office before he exited. In fairness, there was no massive destruction in the office of de los Santos. She left it bare as it was when she assumed office after winning in the 2013 elections. She succeeded then councilor and now Mayor Edgardo Labella.
The stripping of de los Santos’ office was noticed last Monday when the staff of newly elected Councilor Niña Mabatid reported for work. Mabatid took over de los Santos’ office. The office was empty and some of the items were intentionally destroyed. De los Santos claimed she did not destroy other items.
She explained that when she assumed office, no City Hall funds were used for the improvement of the office. The same goes with the other councilors. They used their own money for the renovation of their offices so they could retrieve these items when their term expired. She refused to comment on what the “has-been politician” did to his office.
When asked why it took her almost a week to clarify the matter when the media was looking for her, she said nobody from the media contacted her. She was here all the time. She said she only found out through my column last Wednesday. I am sorry, I don’t believe her that nobody from the media contacted her for her reaction. I talked with GMA 7 Balitang Bisdak reporter Alan Domingo and dySS reporter Allan Majait and they claimed they exerted efforts to get the reaction of de los Santos, but she could not be contacted. She also claimed that she shut down her Facebook account even before the campaign period started. Well, we will take her word at face value.
On the other matters that hounded her in the last elections, like the “missing” steel bars on the demolished Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), she explained that the issue had long been “dead,” but it was revived by her political opponents during the election period. She showed me the certification signed by former city engineer and Office of the Building Official Jose Marie Poblete clearing her of any liability. Besides, she was not formally investigated in connection with the issue and no formal charges were filed against her. The matter died a natural death.
Being the deputy mayor for hospital matters, she also washed her hands of the delay in the construction of the new CCMC building. She said she could not be blamed because a rebidding was conducted that affected the progress of the construction. The first three floors were supposed to open last April yet. She also disagreed with the estimate of Mayor Labella that P1 billion is needed to finish the entire building.
She belied accusations that she “poked her fingers” in the operations of the hospital. She never intervened in the management of the hospital, saying she has no knowledge of and expertise in medical matters. She left hospital officers to decide and she supported them through legislation. She denied allegations that she recommended her favored medicine suppliers and berated hospital officials and employees.
On her bolting to BOPK from Team Rama, she explained that it was a matter of personal conviction. She believed in the principles and conviction of the BOPK leadership. Before she officially affiliated herself with BOPK, she consulted her political leaders and supporters in Lahug. She also asked the “has-been politician” to ask forgiveness to the people of Lahug, which the latter did.
Well, Mary Ann is back as an ordinary citizen and with her status, she will be away from the public eye and controversies. Unless she gets involved in politics again. Basin moguho na pud ni siya mora’g uhong kon magsingabot na ang eleksiyon.