For Pasil fire victims: Osmeña backs Labella on legal aid initiative

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is supporting  the plan of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella to establish a legal assistance counter at the fire-stricken Barangay Pasil to help the fire victims reacquire their lost documents.

Osmeña said he will ask the City Legal Office and other concerned offices to assist Labella. The vice mayor, during his visit to the affected area last week, promised to help the residents who lost important documents like marriage contract, land title, birth certificate, etc. to get a new one.

“With our support, sure (referring to City Legal Office) or assessor or urban poor. Why only now? Labella has served as an elected city official for 25 years. Anyway, this is a very very laudable idea,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter if Labella has political motives by scoring pogi points. It’s still a good service he intends to provide,” Osmeña added.

Labella, a lawyer by profession, sees the need for the city and legal practitioners to help the fire victims reacquire their lost documents.

Labella criticized Councilor Sisinio Andales for insisting that it should be handled by the City Legal Office instead of him initiating it to avoid doubts on the motive.

“Why did Andales not request the City Legal Office or why would he not help the poor fire victims in Pasil instead of imputing political posturing or malice on purely good intentions?” Labella told The FREEMAN.

Andales thought that Labella is playing politics considering that the latter had publicly declared that he is open to running for mayor in the next elections. Labella vowed to continue his plan despite political insinuations from the other camp.

“Of course, I can’t sacrifice the welfare just because Andales is making political out of this initiative. He is very welcome to help if he wants to,” Labella further said.

Labella said he welcome the support of Osmeña to his initiative.  It is expected that Labella will put up a tent in Sitio Lawis, Pasil within this week. He said he had already coordinated with Barangay Captain Julius Guioguio about it.

The vice mayor said his law firm, E.C Labella, and some private lawyers will assist the fire victims.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, who is also a lawyer by profession, assured to help Labella. A massive fire hit Pasil on January 14 affecting 860 families and 360 houses.  Affected residents are now temporarily sheltered at Pasil Sports Center, Pasil Elementary School, and Don Bosco Youth Training Center. (FREEMAN)