Explainer - Cebu - SUNSTAR

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EXPLAINER: Is face-mask wearing in Cebu City over? Still voluntary. In schools, businesses, most public spaces, with owner/manager/head of office as decider on rule and enforcement. No official declaration of end to anti-Covid masks although Mayor Mike’s EO expired last December 31.

January 28, 2023

CEBU. Councilors Mary Ann de los Santos and Joy Young and Mayor Mike Rama. (File photos)

EXPLAINER: How they killed Kons Mary Ann’s attempt to override Mayor Mike’s veto of her ordinance granting City Council the power of subpoena and contempt. 12 councilors, who earlier supported it, abstained. Kons Joy Young wondered ‘why we can’t fight the mayor for our right.’

January 26, 2023

CEBU. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama (left), Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and a Sinulog sa Kabataan 2023 contingent. (Photos from Cebu City PIO and SunStar File)

EXPLAINER: Disagreement on Sinulog parade site threatens 'One Cebu Island' theme of festivity. Guv Gwen says Mayor Mike's SRP choice is ill-timed and may cause serious problems, notes that the mayor hadn't consulted other LGUs.

January 12, 2023

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EXPLAINER: Where Ombudsman lawyers failed in three charges against Dumanjug, Cebu Mayor Gungun Gica over 2014 'falsified' restaurant receipt. Prosecutors lost in Sandiganbayan despite certification of Ding Qua Qua manager and COA disallowance.

January 07, 2023

CEBU. Photos of former mayor Cynthia Moreno, location map of Aloguinsan, Supreme Court seal and the Sandiganbayan. (File photos)

EXPLAINER: Where’s Aloguinsan, Cebu ex-mayor Cynthia Moreno? Has she been brought before Sandiganbayan, which issued at least two warrants for her arrest? Last news, in November, about Moreno: SC rejected her request for house arrest.

January 05, 2023

(From left) Screenshot of Fr. Dennis Boltron and acolytes dancing to the tune of “Ting Ting Tang Tang”; Fr. Dennis Boltron, Msgr. Joseph Tan and Fr. Glenn Guanzon. (Photos from Facebook pages og Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish-Danao and Archdiocese of Cebu)

EXPLAINER: 'Liturgical' dancing banned by Vatican as a rule. Would that ala-TikTok show in Danao City church fall under exception? Two Archdiocese officials split on whether priest must be sanctioned.

January 02, 2023

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EXPLAINER: A colossal P51.45B budget for Cebu City in 2023. Is City Council humoring Mayor Rama? We’re giving him ‘benefit of the doubt,’ says Kons Wenceslao. Controls will guard against deficit spending, he says.

December 29, 2022

(From left to right) Cebu City Council and Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos

EXPLAINER: Cebu City Council power of contempt won’t be like how Congress wields it. But Sanggunian, under the approved de los Santos ordinance, can look into almost anything ‘in aid of legislation,’ expanding its power to investigate under the City Charter

December 27, 2022

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EXPLAINER: Cebu City Council risks challenge in court on Kons Mary Ann de los Santos ordinance granting itself power of contempt. First in the country, says Kons Rey Gealon.

December 23, 2022

SunStar File

EXPLAINER: Lapu-Lapu ex-mayor Arturo Radaza argued he had no part in awarding P83.9M streetlamps contract and the government didn't suffer loss or injury. Sandiganbayan struck down his defenses.

December 19, 2022

CEBU. (From left) Atty. Jerone Castillo, Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, and Councilors Noel Wenceslao, Mary Ann de los Santos, Joy Pesquera and Nestor Archival. (File photos)

EXPLAINER: Public hearing on Cebu City budget spotlights Sanggunian dilemma: screen expenses or raise taxes first. On P50 billion 2023 outlay, Vice Mayor Garcia says, 'So what?' Risky for treasurer, bad for City Council, say Councilors Pesquera, Archival.

December 06, 2022

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EXPLAINER: Questions the Cebu City Council must address before passing Jun Alcover ordinance on 'tartanillas' and 'kutseros.' City to spend P1M a year for horses’ meds. Industry is dying, notes Joy Young.

December 02, 2022

EXPLAINER: How Sandiganbayan shot down Tining Martinez's claim of inordinate delay, Paz Radaza's 'no conspiracy' argument. Ruling on motions for recon cites 'Bogo triumvirate' and paper trail that led to conviction of Clavel Martinez, seven others.

November 30, 2022

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EXPLAINER: Tax increases, P50 billion budget aimed to make Cebu City Singapore-like. President Marcos Jr. told the mayor, ‘Mike, you’re ambitious.’ It’s called vision, says Castillo. With a price tag: higher taxes on real properties, business, services.

November 23, 2022

CEBU. (From left) Atty. Jerone Castillo and Cebu City Councilors Mary Ann de los Santos, Rey Gealon and Joy Pesquera. (Photos from Facebook)

EXPLAINER: Mayor Mike Rama's rep Jerone Castillo argues the huge realty tax increase won't exceed legal limit. But bulky tax burden all at once can be like sledgehammer on some taxpayers. Rama's mission to make the city 'Singapore-like' is the excuse. 'Hinay-hinay lang,' councilors caution.

November 22, 2022

(FROM LEFT) Cebu City Councilors Mary Ann de los Santos, Rey Gealon, James Cuenco and Phillip Zafra. (File photos)

EXPLAINER: Councilor de los Santos changes word 'punish' to 'charge' in proposed grant of contempt power to City Council. But ordinance seeks to punish disobedience to Sanggunian subpoenas, which Supreme Court ruling says local legislatures cannot do.

November 17, 2022

CEBU. Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos and City Legal Officer Rey Gealon. (File photos)

EXPLAINER: Committee on laws says de los Santos ordinance granting subpoena-contempt powers for Cebu City Council is valid, doesn’t violate Constitution or law. But Gealon group wants more legal study, besides public hearing.

November 10, 2022

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EXPLAINER: Panglao, Bohol ex-mayor convicted of corruption but not of unlawful appointment. To avoid ban on poll losers, she hired four as job-order workers. Why Cebu City’s massive hiring of JOs isn’t like Panglao's.

November 09, 2022

CEBU. Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon proposes an ordinance that would create a Cebu City office of the LGBTQ Affairs Office. (File/Pexels Photos)

EXPLAINER: Cebu City ordinance, signed last August, punishes discrimination against, and creates a council for, LGBTQs. Pending ordinance seeks to create an office on gay rights. Opposers fear 'consequences' on non-gays.

November 07, 2022

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EXPLAINER: Probe of December 2021 murder attempt on Cebu radio commentator Rico Osmeña now a ‘cold case.’ SITG disbanded after 6 months, turns over inquiry to CIDG.

October 26, 2022