FORMER Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña, architect of the Cebu economic boom (Ceboom) in the ‘90’s, has signified his intention to return to politics by running for governor in next year’s elections.
Lito announced his plan through media interviews over the weekend. Lito was elected governor during the first election after the 1986 People Power Revolution. He ran for vice president in the 1992 elections in tandem with Fidel Ramos but lost to Joseph Estrada. A year after that, Ramos appointed him to become presidential economic adviser. He tried his luck in 1998 presidential elections, but he again failed.
What triggered him to return to politics? Lito said we are being left out by the national government in terms of major infrastructure projects. He admires incumbent Gov. Hilario Davide III for his honesty but not for his performance. If elected governor, Lito said he has two major infrastructure projects in mind. The trans-axial highway that will connect the south and north of the province as envisioned by the late Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez and a freeway to ease traffic congestion in Metro Cebu.
We can no longer question the leadership of Lito. His kind of leadership and governance has been proven and tested. But times have changed. Getting projects from the national government is a matter of connections with the powers that be. Davide did not exploit his closeness and association with President Noynoy Aquino. If Lito returns to the Capitol and whoever becomes the president, can he duplicate those achievements and accomplishments during his time? But is he physically fit to undergo the rigorous campaign?
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I received a letter-complaint from some disgruntled personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP 7) against the newly installed regional fire marshal:
“The Bureau of Fire Protection Region 7 has a newly installed officer-in-charge in the name of S/Supt. Erlinda O Tobias, a native of Laguna in Region 4A. She assumed office on March 6, 2015 after the compulsory retirement of S/Supt. Ma. Luisa Hadjula last March 5, 2015. In her barely two months in office as OIC BFP 7 Supt. Tobias has done nothing to improve the fire bureau. Wala siyang ginawa kundi ang maglakwatsa sa buong Central Visayas bitbit ang kanyang anak at magpakasarap sa mga resorts sa Bohol, Negros Oriental at Siquijor. Parang nanibago si OIC Tobias sa kanyang posisyon.
“During the recruitment of new firefighters and promotion process of 200 applicants for promotion last March 24, 2015, OIC Tobias strongly recommended to the Regional Placement and Selection Board (RPSB) BFP 7 that Maezelle Diagnostics based in Manila should be the official diagnostic laboratory that will cater to all applicants’ laboratory exams. The cost is very high compared to our local diagnostics in Cebu. The total package is P4,350 for the neuro exam, drug test, ECG, X-ray and urinalysis. The price is so high. In fact, we can have all of these exams at half the price if the diagnostic laboratory is based in Cebu.
“It was found out that OIC Tobias has a cut of P1,500 per applicant for their medical exams. The total applicants for new recruit and promotion combined would reach 350 in all. Imagine 1,500 multiplied by 350 is a huge amount of money already.
“Just before Supt. Hadjula retired from active service, she signed a decision suspending FO1 Jubelle Toledo for six months without pay.
“However, when OIC Tobias assumed office she immediately reversed the decision of her predecessor and eventually acquitted the powerful firefighter. It was found out that the mother of FO1 Toledo is a retired high-ranking BFP officer in Region 7. It was reported that when OIC Tobias assumed office, retired Supt. Toledo always visits Tobias office to follow up on the case of FO1 Jubelle Toledo and she requested for the transfer of her children to Cebu as FO1 Jubelle Toledo is assigned in Basay City, Negros Oriental and the other Toledo is assigned in Bohol.
“There are also allegations that the transfer of unit assignment is for sale. You need to pay P20k and you will be assigned in your preferred place. BFP is now processing the promotion of 50 non-commissioned officers. Ayon sa aming info may bayaran na naman ang promotion to the next higher rank that will range from 30k-50k, depending on the rank applied for.
“What is worst is her defiance to the order duly signed by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas regarding the suspension of Senior Insp. William Tacaldo, the provincial director of Negros Oriental. The six-month suspension order was to take effect last May 1, 2015. Take note, the decision is final and executory.”
(I requested my dySS radio staff to get the reaction of Tobias, but failed. She was reportedly out of town. This space I open to Tobias’s reaction. BGN)
But when Bebot ran for Congress last 2013, criminal and administrative cases were filed against him in connection with the issue before the Office of the Visayas-Ombudsman, courtesy of his opponent, lawyer Aristotol “Totol” Batuhan, who was the congressional candidate of Team Rama in that election. The ombudsman resolved the administrative case not in Bebot’s favor.
While there are pending cases before the anti-graft office, City Hall refuses to pay ACT, thus putting into jeopardy the future of the scholars because they cannot process or get their transcript of records and diploma as the school refuses to release their papers if the City will not pay the school. I received an e-mail from one of the graduates in connection with this issue:
u2018I am Quennie (pls. don’t indicate my name), a Cebu City scholar who graduated from Asian College of Technology last April 2014. Naa ko problema regarding sa pag-process sa ako TOR and diploma. Ang Asian College dili pa gihapon mo-process sa akong TOR and diploma tungod kay wa pa daw gihapon ka bayri sa Cebu City Government ang bayranan sa among scholarship to think na a year na wala gihapon ka bayre. One year na sya pending. Wa bayre. Unsaon man ni nako Super Bob nga kinahanglanon na naku ako TOR and diploma kay mo-abroad ko. Dili lang ako nagproblema ani na systema Super Bob halos
tanan sa batch nako nagkaproblema pod. Please tabangi mi.”
Well, I hope the congressman, who claimed to have divested his share in the school, and our city officials will resolve this conflict for the interest of the scholars.
It’s very unfair for them that they will be deprived of their future because of this political conflict. Aber, huna-huna kuno ninyo kung kamoy naa sa kahimtang ning maong mga graduates.
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My column last Saturday about my credit card woes has elicited reactions from credit cards holders. They shared the same experience as they are also being antagonized and threatened by banks through their hired law firms, which also act as collection agents. Admittedly, I failed to pay my monthly billing on time sometime last month because as what I have said I prioritized my spending. I have been sending financial assistance to my elder brother in Dipolog City, who has been in and out of the hospital, and the “barrage” of schools requirements of my son who just graduated in a physical therapy course from Cebu Doctors’ University.
Because of that failure, what followed next was a demand letter from a law firm hired by Citi Bank, demanding that I pay the whole amount in five days and charging me P35,000 as collection fee. Why is this law firm imposing a collection fee when the bank already imposed a penalty for delayed payment? In my 20 years as a credit card holder that was the first time I received a demand letter. For me, this is too much, threatening clients with lawsuits even when we just failed to pay a particular billing. As if we are under their mercy.
(bobby.nalzaro@yahoo.com)