Despite the conflict between Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, the officials of the Sinulog Foundation Incorporated will still invite the governor to join the Sinulog mardi gras next year.
With only three months to go before the celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Niño, Vice Mayor Michael Rama, the overall chairman of the Sinulog activities, already started signing invitations yesterday – one of which is for the governor.
“Kun dunay mga personal conflicts, dili maayong iapil nato ang mga religious activities,” the vice mayor explained.
Garcia has danced during the mardi gras with the Capitol contingent for the past three years. Cebu City first lady Margot Osmeña has also led the city government’s contingent in dancing for the Sto. Niño.
The mayor, when asked for his reaction on inviting the governor for the mardi gras said there is no problem if she joins. “It’s up to Mike,” referring to the vice mayor, adding “It doesn’t matter to me.”
Osmeña and Garcia have been exchanging harsh words the past few months after Capitol officials rejected the city’s land swap proposal to prevent the eviction of about 5,000 families who are living in province-owned lots located in the city.
The province owns several parcels of land located in at least 11 barangays in Cebu City, but these are occupied by urban poor families. Capitol officials have already sent eviction notices to these urban poor occupants. Osmeña wanted to swap properties with the Capitol so that the occupants of province-owned lots will no longer be evicted.
City Hall then prevented the province from developing its property in barangay Banilad, and the Capitol, then closed an access road in Fuente Osmeña that was used by vehicles coming from Don Mariano Cui to Fuente Osmeña. The access road is a Capitol property. — Rene U. Borromeo/QSB