Tomas supports move for province to supervise highly urbanized cities

CEBU, Philippines - Even if it would mean that the Cebu City will be under the supervision of the Capitol, Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña said he will support the move for the Capitol to be given administrative control over cities.

This is so the 525,000 voters from the city will be given the chance to vote for Cebu provincial candidates.

The former Cebu City mayor, however, refused to say whether it’s possible for him to run as governor once the move will be approved.

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia had said she is hoping that her father, Deputy House Speaker Pablo Garcia, and brother, Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, will initiate moves to amend the charter of Cebu City.

She said placing Cebu City and other highly-urbanized cities under the Provincial Government is good, for better coordination of development programs.

Mayor Michael Rama, for his part, already announced that he will not object if somebody will initiate a move to place the city under the political jurisdiction of the province.

Cebu City Administrator Jose Mari Poblete said if the suggestion to place the City under the Province will be realized, any of the qualified voters in Cebu City can run for an elective position in the province, which has more than 2.2 million registered voters.

Cebu City used to be under the Provincial Government and its voters were able to vote for provincial candidates. But during the time of President Marcos, the City’s charter was enacted which bars its voters from participating in the provincial elections.   (FREEMAN NEWS)