On realigning of funds: I didn’t break any law – Tomas

CEBU, Philippines - "What law did I break?"

This was Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña's response to the supposed threat of some Team Rama councilors to sue him should he realign the funds for the honoraria of barangay workers.

"Before you can accuse somebody, you have to show what law they violate," he said.

Osmeña issued an executive order creating the city's Long-Life Medical Assistance Program, under which, the Barangay Mayor's Office (BMO), in coordination with the respective barangays of the City of Cebu, shall be tasked to identify qualified residents who may avail the free medicines.

The Team Rama councilors have threatened to sue the mayor should he allegedly use the funds in creating the BMO instead of using it to pay for the honora-ria of barangay lupons, tanods, environmental officers, and health workers.

But the mayor did not budge and even challenged the councilors allied with former mayor Michael Rama to show evidence that he violated a particular law.

 "Show me the law that says I did not make executive order. Show me the law that says I cannot be mayor," he said.

Councilor Raymond Garcia confirmed the possible pressing of charges against the mayor.

"We will question that. If naa'y mga tawo niya (Osmeña) nga mokuha og funding that is intended for the tanods, the barangay or the BHWs, that's the time we will sue," he said.

As for Osmeña, he is currently encouraging out-of-school youth who have the potential to work as BHWs. Under the health program, they will be tasked to distribute medicines and monitors the patients' health.

The newly-hired BHW will be given a quota of 50 houses per day and will be paid P100 a day for the job.

But Garcia said it is the responsibility of the City Health Office to distribute medicines.

"Maghatag kuno og tambal pero ang mo-implement ang BMO. Naglibog na mi, naa ba diay BMO? It should be implemented by the City Health Office, ingon ana unta ang pag-state," he said. (FREEMAN)