THE decision of the Garcias to support two presidential candidates is a “wonderful financial arrangement,” Mayor Tomas Osmeña said yesterday.
The mayor was reacting to reports that former mayor Alvin Garcia and Government Service Insurance System President Winston Garcia are supporting the presidential bid of Nacionalista Party’s Manny Villar.
Of the two however, only Alvin has confirmed his support for Villar.
Rep. Pablo John and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia have said they are supporting administration bet Gilberto ”Gibo” Teodoro Jr.
“The issue has always been there. It’s always I love you how much. Gwen will get from one, Winston gets from the other. It’s a wonderful financial arrangement,” Osmeña said in a news conference yesterday.
As bets from opposition party Kugi Uswag Sugbu (Kusug) yesterday signed an agreement for an alliance with the camp of Villar, Osmeña said it was for a monetary arrangement.
Asked on what he thinks of the possibility of Gwendolyn abandoning Teodoro for Villar, Osmeña said he expects the governor to leave the candidate who does not have the funds.
“Kung wa’y kwarta si Gibo, goodbye. Kung naa’y kwarta, pabilin siya didto. Simple kaayo na (If Gibo doesn’t have funds, she will leave him),” the mayor told reporters yesterday.
However, Gwendolyn, in a meeting with One Cebu members last night, reiterated her support for Teodoro’s candidacy.
Meanwhile, Osmeña criticized the answers of Alvin and former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña in a mayoralty candidates’ forum held Tuesday and organized by nongovernment organization Kaabag sa Sugbo.
Alvin and former Sonny had said they will have to adopt a participatory governance if elected into office.
Alvin said that a good mayor should not monopolize the handling of the city while Sonny said he will allow the public to participate in the decision-making process.
Osmeña, when sought for comment, said he is delighted that they are suddenly concerned about consultation.
“Just ask Alvin Garcia, when you demolished the Ramos Market, was there a consultation? When you ask Sonny Osmeña, when he removed 10 percent of the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) from all the local government and all the barangays, was there a consultation?” he said.
“Why all of a sudden he’s (Sonny) so worried about consultation? … I’m so delighted that all of a sudden he is a changed man. Or has he changed?” the mayor added.
In the same forum, both Alvin and Sonny said they will be looking at how the South Road Properties (SRP) is being “mismanaged,” resulting in the city’s huge debts.
Sonny also criticized Osmeña’s decision to give out earnings from the sale of SRP lots as cash aid and assistance to different sectors instead of paying for the city’s loans.
But the mayor said all the two do is talk.
As for criticisms on the doleouts, Osmeña said if either of the two will become mayor, it will mean the cancellation of assistance to the different sectors.
“No more help for the PWDs (person with disabilities). No more help for the senior citizens because they do not believe in it. No more help for our graduating students. You make Alvin mayor? You make Kusug take over? Well, you people in 93-1, goodbye,” Osmeña said. (PDF)