Opposition accuses BOPK of fundraising

CEBU, Philippines — The opposition believes that the proposal from Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan to put an end to all cases involving the South Road Properties is just a ploy to raise funds for the upcoming elections.

Councilors Raymond Alvin Garcia and Joel Garganera said it is suspicious that BOPK councilors suddenly changed their stance on the issue, especially on the 45-hectare lot sold by the previous administration to three giant firms.

“Ako gaduda, this is klaro kaayo, if there’s a compromise man gud, usahay or kanunay, naa man gyuy makakwarta. So, ako ga duda, this is a fundraising activity for their party. Klaro kaayo. Pila gud ni ka millions? Unya compromise?” Garcia said.

Garganera questioned the timing of the proposed resolution sponsored by Councilor David Tumulak requesting Mayor Tomas Osmeña to “negotiate and put an end to all cases involving the SRP.” The resolution, however, was not discussed during the regular session last Tuesday because it was not part of the agenda.

“Ilang gipiit, aron modugo,” Garganera said.

Tumulak and Osmeña did not comment on the allegations as of last night. Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, however, said that Garcia is entitled to his opinion.

Councilor Sisinio Andales said it was a “party-decision” to allow the mayor to negotiate. He said the Supreme Court also encourages settlement of cases in order to minimize expensive protracted trial on the merits of the case.

“The resolution of Dave Tumulak is on the right decision by way of authorizing Mayor Tom Osmeña to negotiate for settlement and it will depend on the other party to agree on settlement voluntarily and freely,” Andales said.

Andales denied the allegations that it was meant to solicit money for the elections. He described the allegations as baseless “bordering on fantasy and hallucination.”

Councilor Joy Augustus Young, for his part, said that for someone to think that way must be familiar and most likely guilty of doing it, which for him has scientific and psychological basis.

“That means nahadlok siya mawala ang ilang fund raising scheme nga mao ilang gisaligan for next year’s elections,” he said.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla said Garcia should know better because he is a lawyer.

“Regarding anang money-making iyang giingon, ambot lang niya kun unsa iya pamaagi sa iyang law practice kay naka ingon man siya ana,” Arcilla said.

Garcia said that the City Council should hold an executive session to discuss all the cases that the city will enter into a compromise agreement. He said that supporting documents like the cases involved should be scrutinized first since most of the cases were filed before some of them got elected into office.

Garcia said the opposition will support the compromise agreement for as long as the city will not be shortchanged.

“Kaning yuta, these are worth billions of pesos. Kun mag compromise agreement ka, it will affect the city. Ingon si Dave nga if we are for the city, of course we are for the city, that’s why we want to know unsa nga kaso,” he added.

Garcia admitted that he does not trust the mayor to negotiate for and on behalf of the city government, citing several projects that are “disadvantageous” to the city government. Among these projects are the sale of SRP lot at P9,000 per square meter, joint venture agreement with a giant firm, and the P18 billion casino project.

Garcia and Garganera also asked the mayor to dispose of the three-hectare lot at SRP since the City Council has authorized him to sell the property at P3 billion. As of now, the city government is waiting for the response of the Commission on Audit to the move to dispose of the three-hectare lot at SRP.

The city already received an unsolicited offer from Federal Land which expressed interest to purchase Lot 1 F-8, Psd-07-075186 with 29,881 square meter. Federal Land offered to purchase the lot at P115,000 per square meter or a total value of P3.43 billion. (FREEMAN)