Capitol consultant hits move of some city officials vs. deal

A Capitol consultant yesterday assailed some Cebu City officials for trying to block the lot-swapping deal between the provincial government and the city government.

Lawyer Pablo John Garcia, information organization and management consultant, said "there are certain people who do not want this deal to push through for purely political reasons."

Pablo John recalled an incident in the past when some city council members allegedly went to see Governor Gwen Garcia and tried to convince her that the deal may not be feasible to both parties.

"There are certain people, who do not want this administration of the city right now to be able to resolve this long pestering social problem maybe because they want to be the hero," said Pablo John, adding that he hoped councilor Jocelyn Pesquera is not one of them.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama earlier stated that he wanted Capitol to donate the properties to the city.

Pablo John recalled that a city councilor called up the governor's office last week, asking the latter if it is possible to revoke her veto over the PB ordinance extending the amortization period of residents in the questioned properties.

Pablo John, speaking on behalf of his sister-governor, said the councilor was just grandstanding, and trying to protect the interest of the city's urban poor.

Pablo John wondered what was the councilor's basis in saying that some of the properties involved in the lot-swapping deal have been fully paid already by the residents. He said Capitol has been transparent in its transactions and it furnished the city copies of the documents of the lots.

He said there were certified true copies of the titles from the Register of Deeds of all the lots indicated in PB Ordinance No. 93-1 with its corresponding specifics, including the total lot area of the subject properties minus the fully paid portion.

PB Ordinance No. 93-1 declared the province-owned lots located in 11 city barangays for socialized housing. "I don't know what the motives are but certainly this would make some people very, very happy - those who do not want Mayor Tommy Osmeña to succeed in solving this social problem," said Pablo John.

Meanwhile, PB member Victor Maambong said he will sponsor a proposed resolution asking the city council to explain why it adopted the stand of Pesquera and why it openly discussed certain concerns that it did not bother to clarify with the PB.

Maambong said he will also suggest for a joint session of the city council and the PB to to thresh out delicate issues surrounding the lot-swapping deal.