Garcia giving Duterte letter about Osmeña

CEBU, Philippines — An opposition councilor has reported to President Rodrigo Duterte Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s shabby treatment to the police and the Land Transportation Office-7.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said he sent a letter to the President through Executive Secretary Salvado Medialdea last Wednesday, two days before Duterte’s visit yesterday.

“Recent developments constrain me to inform you that, once again, our Mayor has deemed it fit to hamper the functions of the National Government—this time threatening to evict the Land Transportation Office-7 from the City-owned lot it has been using for its office, and actually ordering the demolition of a Police Station, the construction of which is well underway, in Barangay Inayawan of our City,” read a portion of Garcia’s letter.

In the letter, Garcia said he just want to apprise the President of the city’s situation under the leadership of Osmeña. He said the mayor has not been granting press conferences since August 22.

At a press conference yesterday, Garcia said he informed other members of Barug Team Rama-PDP Laban Cebu City Chapter on his initiative. He, however, said he did not ask the president in the letter to suspend the mayor.

But Garcia believes that Duterte has the authority to “discipline erring local chief executives.”

“As a Sangguniang Panlungsod member, it pains me to see the City of Cebu pitted against the National Government, and having our constituents suffer for it. While my colleagues and I continue the fight in the city council, there is only so much the minority bloc can accomplish,” Garcia added.

Garcia said it’s about time that the president should know the actions of the mayor against the police and LTO-7.

To recall, the mayor says he has “not-so-good” relationship with the police after the purported foiled assassination of Tejero Barangay Councilman Jessielou Cadungog. The mayor also threatened to evict LTO office. As of yesterday, LTO-7 Director Victor Caindec said he has not received the notice to vacate yet.

Garcia clarified that it is his first time to send a communication detailing the actions of the mayor to Duterte. The mayor has been slammed by Duterte twice in public speeches.

The President first hit Osmeña in public during his visit to Mandaue City last month. The second incident happened in Laoag last week.

Garcia said the President should know about the state of the city.

“Among gihatagan og report ang president and we are very confident that it has already reached his ears and eyes. Maybe we will see a third time nga itamparos napod ni si Tomas. Mao na ang laktod kaayo nga pagkaistorya. We are already reporting this matter to the president,” Garcia said.  – FPL (FREEMAN)