CEBU, Philippines - Local leaders of the Liberal Party in the third district of the Province of Cebu under the group of former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña is now initiating a move for the removal or transfer of Toledo City treasurer Eleuteria Alvez.
In a consultative meeting yesterday, Osmeña lamented that unless Alvez is removed, the group cannot succeed in driving away their political opponents in the district and in Toledo City.
He is apparently referring to Toledo City Mayor Aurelio Espinosa who used to be his ally and who allegedly learned political tactics from him.
Osmeña alleged that Alvez is being used by Espinosa to pay job order employees who are not actually rendering works.
Alvez is facing charges for malversation of public funds before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas which prompted Osmeña to ask the Aquino administration to remove her from office.
Osmeña is dismayed over the inaction of LP provincial chairman Hilario Davide III to his request, prompting him to withdraw support for the latter’s bid for governor in the elections next year.
Former third district Rep. Antonio Yapha Jr. yesterday asked their local leaders to support the move of Osmeña.
Yapha said Davide informed him that the concern of Osmeña was already raised to LP president Mar Roxas.
The meeting yesterday was attended by LP local leaders of Barili and Aloguinsan towns, the first of a series of consultations Osmeña is conducting.
The group agreed that the petition shall be passed around in their respective locality to call for the removal or transfer of Alvez.
Osmeña said that if Alvez is removed, he might run for mayor to be able to hold Toledo City and Yapha for congressman.
“Toledo is crucial. . .og way ta’y mayor sa Toledo maski’g wa pa si Teria diha, dehado lang gihapon ta, (…if we don’t have a mayor in Toledo, even if Teria is not there, we would still be at a disadvantage.)” Osmeña said.
Yapha said what Osmeña announced is not yet final.
“Duna man gyud siya’y usa ka importante gyud kaayo nga problema sa syudad sa Toledo, (He has a very important problem in the city of Toledo.)” Yapha told reporters.
If he runs for Congress, Yapha admitted being behind from Provincial Board Member Alex Binghay whom they believe would most likely to run for congress under One Cebu Party of the Garcias.
“Dili sad ko foreign kaayo sa third district, (The third district is not foreign to me.)” Yapha said adding that he has served one term as PB member and nine years as congressman.
Even if Osmeña is at odds with Davide, Yapha said he is supporting the latter for governor.
Yapha is hoping that the problem of the local LP will be ironed out as long as the concern of Osmeña will be addressed. — (FREEMAN)