Online petition for officials spare projects from politics

CEBU, Philippines — Netizens urged local officials in Cebu to spare development projects from political posturing.

An online petition entitled "Spare development projects that benefit Cebu from partisan politics” is gaining support from the netizens.

The petition was started by Raul Go and urban poor leader Arman Perez few days ago. As of last night, at least 83 people have already signed up on www.change.org

Perez said they decided to start the online petition to call upon officials to set aside partisan politics and think of the common good.

Perez, resident of Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, ran for councilor as an independent candidate during the 2016 elections but lost.

Among the projects enumerated in the petition include the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit, P18-billion Isla dela Victoria tourism and casino project, Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), among others.

"We hope to enlighten the people who opposed and who supported these projects to think in the big picture. The projects benefit Cebuanos in the future," Perez told The FREEMAN.

Perez hopes that the online petition will guide politicians, especially those running for position in the upcoming elections, of the sentiments of the people.

"We believe majority of Cebuanos share this outlook. Your support for this online plea should demonstrate this shared espousal. We intend that our position should reach our leaders and those challenging them," a portion of the petition read.

The projects enumerated in the petition had been very controversial and met with oppositions. One is the BRT project that has been delayed for years already.

 “Will the opposition to BRT commence again? Will implementation be disrupted anew? We hope not. The construction of a mass transport system to address the traffic in Cebu City is long overdue. It has gained wide support within various sectors in Cebu City,” it added.

The petition also mentioned the opposition by the minority bloc of the Cebu City Council to the proposed P18 billion development projects at the former Kawit Island in the South Road Properties. They are hopeful that there will be a “smooth” construction of CCLEC despite the heated political conflict of concerned Local Government Units (LGUs).

“We yearn that our leaders in Cebu will be an example in the decent and principled conduct of political campaigns that spare business, development projects, and initiatives that benefit all from becoming collateral damage,” the petition read further.

Perez said they intend to reach out local leaders and other concerned offices through the petition.

"So that our projects will be free from politicizing as if they were the ones who paid for these projects. It’s the taxpayers’ money whom they are using," he said.

The online petition is also open to non-city residents as long as they share the same advocacy. Perez said they will be accommodating supporters until the campaign period. Perez said they will present the petition to the local officials.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, however, believes that the petition came from the camp of Mayor Tomas Osmeña. She said it is a ploy to gain public attention.

"It would show that the alleged petition is just coming from the camp of the mayor...To gain publicity," Pesquera said.

As an elected official, Pesquera said she has the sworn duty to protect the rights and the welfare of the constituents. She said this is why she is making sure that every project is advantageous to the city.

“Ever since I became a city councilor, I always decide and vote based on what I believe is right and what is beneficial to our constituents. I am here as representative of the people and I am here to protect the government and its people,” Pesquera said.

Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos supports the intention of the people behind the online petition.

“I fully agree with it, one hundred percent. Politics should not hinder development projects. Politicians should shed off their political nature when it comes to development projects and public service,” she told The FREEMAN.

Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr. said the projects enumerated in the petition are good for the city and that he sees no reason why the opposition are against it.

 “These projects are good for our city dili gyud angay babagan. I’m with these netizens,” Gabuya said.-FPL (FREEMAN)