Capitol not affected by Del Mar comment

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu provincial government remains firm on its stance following Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar’s comment defending the joint venture deal between the city government and the Filinvest Land, Inc.

Provincial administrator Rory John Sepulveda said that the province's position concerning Cebu City’s joint venture agreement with Filinvest on a real estate development at the South Road Properties remains the same. 

He said the contract still needs to be scrutinized further.

Sepulveda maintains the same with Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia that nothing will affect the sought congressional inquiry.

To recall, Garcia recently delivered a privilege speech attacking the joint venture deal calling such as “anomalous and disadvantageous”.

“We’re just trying to make things clear…the full-page ad answers questions nga sila ra ang nag-ask. So many questions are left unanswered,” Sepulveda said.

He also said that they “cannot fault Del Mar if he defends the city because he is a part of it.”

For his part, Acting Mayor Michael Rama said he is very grateful that Del Mar took the cudgels of explaining to Congress the side of the city.

He said it was “very unpalatable” if it was someone not from the city of Cebu to speak on behalf of the city.

As to the comment that del Mar was not using his own position in explaining things but that of the city’s, Rama said, “of course, no one can dictate him how he was going to construct his speech.”

Del Mar, in his 30-minute speech, defended the joint venture contract between the city government and Filinvest which would assure employment of thousands and the construction of a Central Business District at the heart of the SRP.

Del Mar explained to members of the Congress that the rift between the Province and the City stemmed from a botched land swap deal affecting 5,000 residents. – Karen Grace H. with Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)