Tom sees conflict of interest in Kusog bets for councilors

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña frowns at the choices of the opposition’s councilorial bets.

In yesterday’s press conference, he laughed upon learning of the initial names considered to fill in the councilorial slots of Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusog).

Lawyer Raymund Garcia, spokesperson of Kusog, recently revealed they are considering doctors and engineers that will help them in addressing the major concerns of the city.

One of the doctors considered is the current president of the Cebu Doctors University.

“Nah, there is surely conflict of interest. That’s a warning to the voters. This guy Larrazabal refused to pay his taxes, so unsaon man na,” Osmeña said.

The mayor was referring to the refusal of universities and hospitals to pay business taxes considering themselves as non-profit entities.

The engineers of Kusog are also bent on ironing out the problems of the multibillion-peso South Road Properties, this was further learned.

“What an engineer, there is no more engineering problem with the SRP, it’s already there. They just showed their ignorance on issues,” Osmeña said.

On the other hand, for Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK)’s own list, he said that having Jaybee Binghay-Carillo, information officer of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and wife of Councilor Gerardo Carillo, will be highly considered.

“Well I can mention five points: First, she is a woman, that’s a plus factor; she has DSWD background; barangay San Nicolas area will be well represented; the Abella clans will be satisfied and lastly, she speaks very well. She can be the best speaking candidate for BOPK,” Osmeña said.

BOPK is also considering barangay captains Nida Cabrera of Luz, Eugenio Faelnar of Guadalupe and Jose Marino Benedicto of Zapatera, as well as community leader Alvin Dizon.

Considering that there are other barangay captains who would wish to be councilors, the mayor said he will try to appease them by offering more projects.

For Kusog, the list includes Sambag I barangay captain Jerry Guardo, Tinago councilor Joel Garganera, former councilor Danilo Fernan and Kasambagan councilor Byron Piramide. – Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV   (THE FREEMAN)