Ombudsman plans mediation meeting

CEBU - Concerned by the escalating political conflict between the executive and legislative branches in Mandaue City and how this would affect the delivery of the basic services, the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas plans to hold a mediation meeting between the two camps.

The anti-graft office expressed its concern a day after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia formally intervened into the conflict and asked the two political camps to refrain from issuing “inflammatory’ statements that might worsen the conflict.

Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol said his office is closely watching the efforts to bring peace and harmony in Mandaue City.

According to Apostol, the Ombudsman can call for a mediation meeting between the camps of Mayor Jonas Cortes and that of Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna especially if they feel that the conflict has already affected the delivery of basic services.

However, Apostol said, they will have to wait for the result of the on going mediation effort by the governor. If it fails the Ombudsman will come in.

Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal earlier called for cooperation among the local officials in Mandaue City but the prelate’s call fell on deaf ears.

The conflict has instead continued to escalate when the opposition led city council exposed the alleged “Kabanay Unlimited” in the city.

Fortuna named the relatives of the mayor, who are allegedly dipping their hands into the affairs of the city government.

Among the relatives of Cortes that are allegedly wielding their influence over the city are Zoilo Cortes, Lily Manding Cortes, Editha Cortes, Victor Cortes, Demetrio Cortes, Jr., Hermie Cortes, Jimmy Vasquez, Edmund Sanchez, Eutiquio Sanchez, Briccio Boholst, Hidelito Pascual, Antonio Sanchez and Omar Redula.

The expose’ prompted the anti-graft office to conduct a fact-finding investigation.

Apostol ordered assistant ombudsman Virginia Palanca Santiago last week to open an investigation based on newspaper reports.

Acting director Carla Tangco yesterday said that they have already formally opened a docket on the alleged presence of “Kabanay Unlimited’ in Mandaue City.

Tangco said that the fact-finding investigation will proceed even if the Ombudsman intercedes in the conflict thru mediation.

She said that their plan to mediate to end the verbal tussle between the local officials in Mandaue City will not affect their investigation.

According to Tangco, they have already started looking into if the relatives of Cortes working in the city government have appointments, which may be in violation of the law on nepotism.

The law on nepotism prohibits anybody with appointing authority to appoint his or her relative within the third degree of consanguinity and by affinity.

The governor held a separate meeting with the group of Fortuna and Cortes to ask them to observe a “ceasefire.”

While the governor was meeting Fortuna’s group last Tuesday afternoon, a text message on alleged another case of “Kabanay” interference in Mandaue City circulated.

The text message read, “another proof of Kabanay Unlimited interference. No wonder Jonas doesn’t know what’s happening in city hall, no wonder city hall is like a headless chicken.”

The text message that reportedly came from the PR man of the opposition alleged that Mandaue City police chief Rodel Calungsud admitted before the members of the city council that the mayor’s cousin, Dr. Zoilo Cortes, Jr., has required the police to submit to him reports of crime statistics in the city.

Fortuna in a separate interview questioned Dr. Cortes’ authority to order the police when he is not an official of the city.

Fortuna said that even if they agree to refrain from issuing “inflammatory” statements, this will not stop them from actively playing the role of fiscalizers.

The vice mayor said they will continue to criticize the administration but will limit themselves to “factual” issues.—/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)