CEBU, Philippines — For Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, political vendetta is behind the charges filed against him and other city officials over the appointment of deputy mayors.
“Well, politics, essentially,” Osmeña said.
He said Florencio Villarin sought for his endorsement for national director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) years back but he did not endorse him.
“He (Villarin) used to be head of the regional director of NBI here in Cebu and then he asked me to endorse him at one time to be the national director, which I did not, so that might be the reason why he is angry at me,” Osmeña said.
“I did not refuse. I just did not do it because I don’t think he’s good enough for national. He runs for Congress three times, maybe he is kulang sa pansin,” he added.
Villarin believes the officials committed dishonesty, grave misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, and culpable violation of the Constitution under Section 60 of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) because of the appointments.
In his complaint dated September 27, Villarin also accused the respondents of violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Yesterday, Osmeña clarified anew that councilors who are designated as deputy mayors do not sign checks and are not allowed to disburse funds.
Osmeña said he is just maximizing the talents of the councilors by assigning them in areas they are capable of handling.
“Let me explain. It’s my job as the city mayor to maximize the talent that I have and the councilors are very familiar with the different problems in the barangay and so I’ll give them additional assignments… to maximize their talent, to help me in helping out the solutions, and also helping out in seeing to it that the right things are being done,” he said.
“I just call the deputy mayors but there is no, technically, there’s no such thing as deputy mayor. Does that make it illegal? If I call someone gwapa, can you sue me if that’s a crime?” he added.
In a separate interview, Villarin denied asking for Osmeña’s endorsement.
“That’s not true. Kanang iyaha, exaggeration lang na. Honestly, I did not ask him to endorse me. Ang nag-endorse nako kay silang Department of Justice Secretary Teofisto Guigona, former senator Rene Cayetano. I did not need him (Osmeña) at that time. Who is he, by the way?” he told The FREEMAN.
He said he filed the charges because the city officials violated the law and he wants to help President Rodrigo Duterte eliminate corruption in government.
“I just feel challenged. I feel guilty when I will not get involved. I want to help the president,” Villarin said.
Aside from Osmeña, Villarin named as respondents Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, councilors Eugenio Gabuya Jr., Joy Augustus Young, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla, Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, Mary Ann delos Santos, David Tumulak, Jerry Guardo and resigned city councilor Nendell Hanz Abella, who is now commissioner of the Seventh Division of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
Osmeña appointed these officials as deputy mayors in various areas.
Margot oversees matters related to budget and finance, tourism, and social services.
Delos Santos is assigned to look into health concerns such as the Cebu City Medical Center, Guba Community Hospital, and the City Health Department while Arcilla handles markets, agriculture, infrastructure, and engineering.
Young takes charge of the scholarship program of the city, Abella of education matters, and Gabuya of issues related to games, sports, youth, prioritization of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) funds of the city, urban poor, and housing.
Andales, Guardo, and Tumulak have been assigned deputy mayors for peace and order and labor; infrastructure; and police matters, respectively.
Labella is included in the complaint because, Villarin alleged, the vice mayor did not do anything to stop Osmeña from gaining control of the City Council. (FREEMAN)