Tom not stopping "backdoor" efforts

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is not stopping anyone from pursuing backdoor negotiations to arrive at common ground with the Cebu provincial government.

Osmeña said he giving anyone, including city administrator Francisco Fernandez, leeway to pursue with backdoor negotiations or any such activity.

“I’m not stopping anyone if they come up with something then I’ll listen to them. I don’t prefer anything, I don’t even like to initiate, this is a democracy,” Osmeña said.

Fernadez earlier confirmed drafting a Memorandum of Understanding to pave the way for the reconciliation of Osmeña and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on certain issues.

These include the plight of the 5,000 families living in province-owned lots in the city, the prohibition of the development of province project Ciudad by the city and other boundary and property disputes.

“If Bimbo wants to discuss with them, let him discuss it, and if they come up with something I’ll listen,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña admitted that the issue of reconciling with the governor has become emotional.

“Honestly, I don’t really care, I am just after the plight of the urban poor, I don’t want to create any urban unrest,” he said.

Fernandez said he is pursuing his earlier informal negotiations with provincial officials.

Certain investors, he said, are already expressing apprehension regarding the conflict of both leaders. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)