Tomas confident of 'Dodge' case dismissal

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday expressed confidence that the Office of the President would dismiss the complaint filed against him over the issue on the US-made Dodge Charger cars donated to the city years back.

Yesterday, he distributed copies of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas ruling promulgated on October 13, 2016 dismissing a similar case that former mayor Michael Rama filed in 2012 for lack of probable cause.

That time, Rama alleged that Osmeña violated Republic Act 3019 ( Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) when the latter accepted two US-made Dodge Charger cars donated by businessman Michael Gleissner, chairman of Bigfoot Entertainment, during Osmeña’s term as mayor.

Yesterday, Osmeña the case to reporters after it was reported that Office of the President is starting its investigation into the matter following the filing of a case by Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman last February 14.

“Let it (Ombudsman decision) speak for itself …That’s already the Ombudsman, signed by (Ombudsman Conchita Carpio) Morales herself.  How can somebody in the Office of the President rank higher than Morales?” he told reporters.

“Actually, I could have asked for outright dismissal (of the case Ayuman filed) because it has taken (him) four or five years (to do so). That's undue delay, but never mind, I have nothing to hide. Let them review the merit of the case,” he added.

The mayor said he was tired of hearing the issue again knowing that the Ombudsman has already issued a ruling about the accusation.

Ayuman lodged two administrative complaints (Grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty) against Osmeña, claiming that he has personal knowledge how Osmeña allegedly used his office to unlawfully gain possession and ownership of the donated luxury vehicles worth P2 million.

Osmeña, though, said he believed that the motive behind the move was for Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella to become acting mayor.

“They want Labella to be an acting mayor.  Nangita gyud sila og anything so that Labella would be an acting mayor,” he said. Labella is an ally of Rama, Osmeña’s political nemesis.

Osmeña is facing eight administrative cases filed by officials affiliated with Rama. All cases sought the mayor’s suspension from office.

In a separate interview, Ayuman told The FREEMAN that the mayor has the right to say anything he wanted, but the barangay captain said he has additional documents that would further support his complaint.

“Kung tan-awon ang mga documents nga unya i-submit nato, mas lig-on ni kay kang Rama media reports ra sa ato credible documents gyud ni,” he said. —/ RHM (FREEMAN)