FORMER Cebu City mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has reiterated his demand for an apology from Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña —whom he referred to as "Vice Mayor Pinocchio" — and warned that he may file a cyberlibel complaint over what he described as defamatory online allegations of corruption.
"I am patiently waiting for his apology," Garcia said in a phone interview on Thursday, July 10, 2025.
On the same day, Osmeña posted on Facebook another criticism against Garcia, whom he said only "exists to usurp and steal." He also called Garcia names such as “Gwen Jr.,” “Gwenlet” and “Little Lalay,” referring to Garcia’s aunt, former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, a political enemy of Osmeña.
Garcia previously called for an apology during a press conference on Tuesday, July 8, where he addressed allegations about his administration’s spending, specifically a P4.4 million electric vehicle and t-shirts reportedly purchased at P20,000 apiece.
Unverified reports
The former mayor praised Mayor Nestor Archival for clarifying that the t-shirt figures were based on unverified reports.
“What a gentleman and statesman,” Garcia wrote on Facebook.
He contrasted this with Osmeña’s tone, calling the vice mayor "Vice Mayor Pinocchio" in a separate post. Pinocchio is a fictional character from an Italian children’s novel who is known for having his nose grow each time he lies — a reference Garcia appears to use to suggest dishonesty on Osmeña’s part.
Garcia said he remains open to a public apology, adding, “There is no shame in apologizing. It is just human to commit mistakes.”
Osmeña, for his part, furthered his criticism against Garcia in a Facebook post on Thursday. He mentioned the former mayor's
defeat in his own precinct in the May 2025 elections.
“His own neighbors voted against him,” Osmeña said in his Facebook post. He also alleged that Garcia wants the new administration to fail so he can run again.
Osmeña accused the former mayor of attempting to undermine the new administration, saying Garcia wants Archival's leadership to fail so he can run again in the next elections.
"For the first time in a long time, the Mayor and Vice Mayor are a team. This is something the Gwenlet cannot possibly understand, since he spent his entire term as VM (vice mayor) trying to become M (mayor). It is simply not in his nature. As proven by his short time in office, Garcia exists only to usurp and steal," he said.
Garcia saw Osmeña's statement as "libelous", particularly the “usurp and steal,” adding that he has informed his lawyers to gather necessary information for a possible lawsuit against the vice mayor.
“Nitaas og SAMOT iyang ilong,” Garcia wrote, alluding to the fictional character Pinocchio whose nose grows when he lies. “Everybody knows that I have put politics aside and ensured a smooth and seamless transition for the benefit of Mayor Archival and most especially for the benefit of Cebu City.”
The former mayor then contrasted his own transition with that of Osmeña's administration, saying he left the mayor’s office “very much intact” and “with a fully-functioning toilet.” He recalled when then-mayor Osmeña left the city hall with a strip bare Office of the Mayor.
“Please remember though, that toilet is for the mayor, not the vice mayor. I did leave a toilet in the vice mayor’s office for you to use while you make your Pinocchio posts — and for that I demand a heartfelt thank you,” Garcia added.
In the 2022 elections, Raymond Alvin Garcia was elected vice mayor, while his running mate, Michael Rama, won as mayor. Their alliance ended after Garcia assumed the position of mayor following Rama's suspension and dismissal by the Ombudsman in connection with various cases. Garcia and Rama were among the candidates for mayor in the 2025 midterm elections, but both lost to Nestor Archival.
On procurement issues, Osmeña further claimed that Garcia’s administration spent P6 million to buy three Nissan Urvans, suggesting that the vehicles were overpriced at P2 million each.
Competitive bidding
Garcia responded that the purchase was conducted through competitive bidding via a third-party supplier. He noted that government procurement processes often involve mark-ups due to delayed payment timelines and extended warranty requirements.
According to Garcia, the Commission on Audit allows up to a 30 percent mark-up over the suggested retail price for such contracts.
Garcia called the vice mayor's statements "out of context," asserting that such purchases are not cash transactions directly with dealers but rather "debt prices" through qualified third parties.
He also labeled the vice mayor's general accusations of corruption as "fake news." (EHP)