Tom denies ‘hand’ on SRP resolution

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña clarified that he is not behind the proposed resolution supposedly asking him to negotiate with parties all the cases involving the South Road Properties (SRP).

In a short interview yesterday in Barangay Lahug where he announced the slate of his group for next year’s elections, the mayor said he would not personally enter into any compromise agreement.

“No. not really. No. it has to be approved by the people. The moment you hear the word compromise that means naka-kwarta si Tomas. That’s why I’m paranoid about compromise,” he told reporters when asked if he is willing to compromise all cases involving SRP.

The proposed resolution, authored by City Councilor David Tumulak, is part of the main agenda of the regular session of the City Council on October 16.

Tumulak would have wanted to put an end to all cases involving the SRP, including the questioned 45-hectare property at SRP bought by giant firms which has been the subject of tongue-lashing of Osmeña against the previous administration.

The mayor has been very vocal on his stand that the 45-hectare lot sale was “invalid and illegal.”

“That’s their initiative. I’m not tact about it but that’s their initiative,” he said.

Osmeña said the plan to enter into compromise agreement and put an end to all cases involving SRP came from Tumulak and supported by the BOPK-allied Councilors.

“Personally, I prefer to fight it out. But I cannot stop them from passing the resolution. It’s authorizing me. I say, thank you very much,” the mayor said.

City Councilors Raymond Alvin Garcia and Joel Garganera thought it was Osmeña who reportedly initiated the filing of the resolution, believing that it would be a “money-making venture or fund-raising” activity for next year’s elections.

Tumulak would have wanted to file the resolution during the last week’s amendment portion of the main agenda of the City Council.

Since the resolution entails negotiating with cases involving SRP, the opposition-allied councilors objected on the inclusion of the resolution of Tumulak in the amendment portion.

Tumulak yielded to the request of the opposition to include it in next week’s agenda so that the members of the City Council have enough time to deliberate on the subject resolution.

Tumulak declined from commenting on the “money-making” issue of the opposition, saying he will just say it during the session on Tuesday. — GAN (FREEMAN)