Osmeña declines ‘lie test’ challenge

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has refused the challenge from his nephew, Councilor Renato "Junjun" Osmeña, to undergo a polygraph test to determine who among them is lying about an incident at the Waterfront Hotel where he was accused of shouting at the latter.

The mayor said it is not necessary to undergo the lie detector test because if he really did it many people should have witnessed the incident.

"I don't have to do that (lie detector test)…Remember it was not a quiet night, remember there's so many people there, the president, mayors and everybody else is there. How come only one person heard and he is going toward me that's why I told him stay away," Osmeña said.

Renato insisted that his uncle shouted at him when he met him at the lobby.

"Naa'y nakadungong lain, nakadungog gani si Daluz (Jose Daluz III), ug mga ubang tawo nakadungog. As I told you what would I get out of it? I mean, who am I to create something with my uncle who I love and respect, until now," Renato said.

Renato said he was shocked by what his uncle did to him during that night. But despite of what had happened, the councilor said he still has full respect and love for his uncle.

The mayor's wife, Councilor Margarita "Margot" Osmeña, defended her husband by saying it is impossible for the mayor to raise his voice without getting the people's attention.

"If Tommy really shouted at him…The lobby was full right because the president was here. Don't you think that other people would have heard?" Margot asked.

She said her husband was only disappointed after a series of committee hearings and following the opposition's junking of the proposed P18-billion development project on Kawit Island.

The mayor already admitted that he was angry at his nephew for voting against the project.

"We'll just stick to the issue, he should be ashamed of himself. He's the one who made the recommendation and you vote against your recommendation. Because according to him it has to be a team decision, which means it's not about what's good for the city," Osmeña said.

"If you read the resolution that ad hoc committee prepared, in the beginning lines, we're all for this project because it's good for Cebu and you vote against it. What does that tell you about him?" the mayor said.

Renato said he only did what he thought was best for the city. He said the project was disadvantageous to the city government.

"Wala nala'y choice mag-vote and I said I made my stand, the rest of my companion did. It's not only me who voted against the project," Renato said.

Meanwhile, suspended Toledo City Mayor John Henry Osmeña visited Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella at the city hall yesterday.

Labella said there was nothing political about the visit. He said the Toledo City mayor only wanted to consult him about a legal issue.

According to Labella, John Henry asked him about the process of merging two barangays.

"Consultation ra tong iyaha, he was consulting me on how to go about in the merging consolidation in the city as provided under Local Government Code," Labella said.

Incidentally, Renato was also present during the meeting. Tomas and John Henry are cousins and are also known to be not in talking terms. (FREEMAN)