Tomas lashes back at Dino, tells PRRD man “alis diyan”

CEBU, Philippines - “Alis diyan!” was the message of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino who called the mayor a “bully.”

Osmeña also uttered the same words in filing a case against Banco de Oro for alleged misdeclaration of the bank’s income when it filed for the renewal of its business permit with the city.

In a press conference yesterday, Osmeña said he promised to enforce the law without mental reservation or purpose of evasion when he took his oath of office last year.

“If they don’t like that, let them change the law. If you commit a crime, Dino you’re not exempted,” he told reporters.

Last Tuesday, Dino described the mayor as “anti-business and anti-poor” because of the filing of complaint against Banco de Oro, cancelling of the South Road Properties lot sale contract of Filinvest Land Inc., and issues raised against Ayala Land and SM Prime Holdings Inc.

Dino said these businessmen are being bullied by the mayor, adding that the recent actions of the mayor may drive away possible investments in the city.

However, Osmeña said no one is exempted in enforcing the law.

“I didn’t know SM and Ayala are exempted. Parehas gyod ang treatment. I don’t care who you are. I will do it without mental reservation or purpose of evasion,” he said.

The mayor said Dino should not lecture him about bringing in or driving away investors in the city, adding that Dino has not brought investors to the city.

Osmeña said he is anti-corruption, anti-crime, and anti-tax evasion.

“It’s anti-corruption, not anti-business. Anti-corruption means I’m protecting the businessmen here who are not corrupt.  These people who tried to be corrupt, they said I am anti-business, well, I’m anti-corruption. I’m anti-crime. I’m anti-tax evasion. Who are they to lecture to me about bringing in or driving investors?,” he said.

Osmeña said he will continue his fight against businessmen who are not declaring their true taxes to the city government.

He said tax evaders and corrupt people should be deeply concerned about his actions as he said he will “send them to jail.” (FREEMAN)