Tomas vows to get back SRP lots

CEBU, Philippines - Criminal and administrative charges will not stop Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña from pursuing his plan to take back the SRP lots sold by his predecessor.

Osmeña said being sued is one of the hazards of being a public official.

The mayor is now facing another complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman over his refusal to accept the payments of giant developers for lots bought at the SRP.

"Let him file. There will be more cases. They don’t have anything else to do except to look for cases to file," the mayor said.

Osmeña said he will answer the criminal and administrative complaints filed by Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman.

Osmeña said he will not divulge all his preparations to get back the city's 45.2-hectare property from the buyers.

Ayuman accused the mayor and City Treasurer Tessie Camarillo of grave abuse of authority for refusing to accept the payments of giant developers last August 2.

"It’s not easy to beat SM, not easy to beat Ayala, and Filinvest. But I will beat all of them. And I will get that property back for Cebu City. And Ramil Ayuman will make no difference," Osmeña said.

In 2015, the city government declared the consortium of Ayala Land, Cebu Holdings Inc. and SM Prime Holdings as the highest bidder with P10.009 billion for a 26.3-hectare property, while Filinvest Land Inc. was the highest bidder with P6.7 billion for a 19.2-hectare property.

The mayor said FLI has already agreed to rescind the contract entered by its representatives and the city's previous administration.

"Well, Filinvest is willing to surrender. One down

People said it can’t be done. Akong tuyo three down," Osmeña said.

Ayuman said the mayor is causing "undue injury" to the city and has put "bad faith" to buyers of SRP lots.

In his complaint, Ayuman accused Osmeña and Camarillo guilty of grave misconduct for violating Section 3 of Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Ayuman also asked the anti-graft body to immediately place Osmeña and Camarillo under preventive suspension pending investigation to prevent them from using their positions to pressure and influence potential witnesses against them.

"I'm not going to give the details of everything that I’m preparing right now because I’m not going to transmit. When I go on the offensive, I will hit them hard. Just give me few more weeks," the mayor said.

One thing he wanted to emphasize, Osmeña said, is the resolution approved by the City Council in 2015.

"The city council removed the authority of the mayor, (Mike) Rama, to sign the deed of sale. He signed it.  He didn't have the authority to sign it. That alone is fatal," the mayor said. (FREEMAN)