Tomas on those behind newsletter: “Mga ok-ok”

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Tomas Osmeña has broken his silence and reacted to the circulation of a newsletter spreading “black propaganda” against him in some Cebu City barangays.

He said the persons behind the publication of “Singgit News” were just trying to destroy his image.

“I call that wishful thinking. They are praying and hoping…normal ra na. They’ve been doing that for long,” he said.

Osmeña labeled as cockroaches those who created the newsletter.

“Mga ok-ok, mao na akong philosophy mga ok-ok . Kinsa ning mga ok-ok? Basta daghan kaayong ok-ok diha…They’re praying lagi, they’re working very hard on that,” he said.

The newsletter alleged that Osmeña would soon be suspended after the Office of the President ordered him to answer the case filed against him by City Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover.

The councilor alleged that Osmeña enticed policemen with cash rewards so they would kill people “involved” in illegal drugs; designating his allied city councilors as deputy mayors; and naming his wife, City Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, as deputy mayor, which to him was already nepotism; and ordering that the flag ceremony at City Hall be held only once a month when it should be held daily.

The newsletter included the suspension of City Councilor Jerry Guardo, who changed sides and is now wth the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan camp; and the “llegal operation” of the Barangay Kamagayan terminal.

Osmeña believed that the suspension was in relation to the cases filed against him by the opposition before the Office of the President. Based on record, there are ready at least eight cases lodged before Malacañang against the mayor.

The cases involved were the reopening of the controversial Barangay Inayawan landfill and the mayor claiming as his two dodge vehicles that Bigfoot Global Solutions had donated to the city government.

He, however, declined to further issue any statement, saying the persons who made the newsletter would not listen or heed him anyway. The newsletter was reportedly distributed in Duljo-Fatima and its neighboring barangays. —/ RHM (FREEMAN)