Tomas: Cebu City’s future in Bob’s hands

CEBU, Philippines - The tables have turned, with Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) founder Tomas Osmeña now the one saying there is a need to provide check and balance at the Cebu City Council reorganization should be blocked.

When BOPK dominated the body, minority city councilors were shut out from committee chairmanships.

With Team Rama-allied City Council members and those of the so-called “independent bloc” reportedly cooking up a plan to take over leadership of the different committees, the former three-time mayor is saying their fight is for the future of the city. He also even invoked the Holy Child.

“It (reorganization) can be done if they (non-BOPK members) have the votes; but BOPK is going to fight it out (because) we are here to protect the interest of the city. And, there’s a need for check and balance,” Osmeña said.

Allies of Mayor Michael Rama and the “independent bloc’s” City Councilors Gerardo Carillo, Noel Eleuterio Wen-ceslao, Roberto “Bob” Cabarrubias, and Richard “Richie” Osmeña, who left BOPK, are planning to stage a reorganization of the committee chairmanships during their session Wednesday next week.

Both camps are reportedly negotiating with Cabarrubias so one could get the majority vote, as they are deadlocked at eight each.

“We have to protect every vote. We are relying…  actually, everything is in the hands of Councilor Bob Cab (Roberto Cabarrubias). The whole future of Cebu is in his hands,” Osmeña said.

“Of the four who defected (from BOPK), Bob is not materialistic. I think with Bob Cab there is a lot of hope. Everybody is asking him.  There is so much pressure, but it’s up to him. I hope that Senior Santo Niño will enlighten him for the good of the city,” Osmeña added.

Cabarrubias and Wenceslao was not available for his comment on the matter yesterday.

Carillo, Wenceslao, Cabarrubias, and Richard “Richie” Osmeña had voted to give Rama authority to sell portions of the South Road Properties, which angered Osmeña, who gave the four the cold shoulder after what they did.

Carillo, Wenceslao, and Richie then announced that they and Cabarrubias were forming their own “independent” group.

Team Rama is going after the big committee on budget and finance (headed by BOPK’s Margarita “Margot” Osmeña) and the committee on laws (headed by BOPK’s Sisinio Andales).

Osmeña said what Team Rama should do now is to wait how things pan out next week.

“(It is) useless to think (what would happen).  Let us wait for things to happen and let it unfold by itself. They (BOPK councilors) are all working together very closely,” he said. — Kristine B. Quintas/RHM (FREEMAN)