Sanchez sees tough year ahead

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. foresees a hard year ahead in politics for both the city and the province.

The current political bickering between him and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and the perceived fallout between Mayor Michael Rama and South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña were his basis in making the prediction.

“Ako lang sad ni pangagpas, ang year 2011 dili gyud ni maayo sa mga politicians. This will be a hard year for politicians. I just hope and pray nga unta lamdagan ang tanang katawhan sa kahitas-an nga ato untang makab-ot ang kahusay ug kalinaw ug kauswagan, kalamboan sa katawhan,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said the relationship between Osmeña and Rama appears to be on the brink of ruin following the congressman’s accusation that the mayor was setting a double standard in running the City Hall.

Osmeña criticized Rama for allowing two private individuals to interfere in the affairs of the City Government while preventing the members of the City Council from performing executive functions.

Osmeña questioned the presence of former councilor Jocelyn Pesquera and Rene Mercado in the City Hall.

At the Capitol, Sanchez was also stripped of the delegated executive functions including the appointment of casual and contractual employees of the Provincial Board.

Garcia also slashed Sanchez’s budget by 61 percent including the transfer of the Legislative Assistance Fund from the members of the Board to the Office of the Governor.

This prompted Sanchez to raise the legality of Garcia’s action before the Regional Trial Court where it is still pending. For the moment, Sanchez observed a truce from his usual attacks against Garcia for the duration of the Christmas season.

He however hinted that more fireworks against Garcia is expected from him starting next month.   (FREEMAN NEWS)