Garcia may file case vs Tomas

CEBU, Philippines - Here’s another avenue where Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia would clash.

The Cebu Provincial Government vowed to help those who would be affected if the Osmeña Shrine in Barangay Lahug would be made into a cemetery.

In a public hearing held at the Capitol session hall yesterday, Governor Garcia told close to 1,000 residents and other concerned people that she will direct the legal department to study the matter and prepare for a case if needed.

“Be prepared to be in this for the long haul,” Garcia told the crowd.

The crowd was composed of residents of Lahug, accompanied by their barangay captain Jovito Taborada and former barangay captain, now councilwoman, Mary Ann de los Santos, and residents of the nearby Barangay Kalunasan.

Members of the homeowners association of Smallville, Beverly Hills, and Beverly Glen and students of Lyceum of Cebu were also present.

They were made to air their sentiments about the issue and pleaded for help from the governor. Garcia said she is touched by their presence and their passion for the crusade.

“You are adversely affected, and it is my responsibility to stand up for you,” the governor said.

“I may be governor of the province of Cebu, but I am a Cebuano governor. Karon nga naminaw ko ninyo akong kaigsuonang Sugbuanon makaingon ko di ko kaako na talikdan mo,” Garcia added.

Garcia, however, asked the residents to stand up for the case as this will take a long time.

   She added that the Provincial Government will be standing up on their side not to encourage conflict with Rep. Osmeña and the city government.

“Dili mi mamalit og away. Dili na maoy polisiya nato diri nga administras-yon. Ang polisya nato mao nga kung ang kaigsuonan nato nga Sugbuanon nagkihahanglan og tabang, mag-alagad mi ninyo mao nga kung mukuyog mo, kuyog sad ko ninyo,” Garcia said.

The governor further told the crowd that she does not back out on her promises.

Garcia said there is reason to object legally to the donation of land done by Osmeña because there was no board resolution issued, based in the deeds of donation and compromised agreement between the government of Cebu and Cebu City.

“I would have known kay ari man na usa muagi nako, but wa may nananghid, ni hi or ho,” she said.

A compromise agreement entered into by the Province and the City of Cebu stated that these specific parcels of land agreed to be retained by the city for specific purpose whether for park and playgrounds or either as Osmeña water reservoir or as Osmeña Shrine.

“Maybe he (Tomas) wants to go to a cemetery someday, but not this way,” Garcia said.

Garcia also explained to one resident that the lot is not owned by Osmeña.

“Manang, gitawag na nga Osmeña Shrine but dili na kang (Tomas) Osmeña. It is a dedication for the great deeds of another Osmeña who was far, far greater than him,” she said.

Garcia said the donation of the 4.7 hectares occupied by the Shrine to the Evangelical Christian Church Coalition of Cbeu Inc. on May 4, 2010, or a week before the May 10, 2010 elections, is an election offense.

“And done so flagrantly. Is it because you have been vested with a title and a position that you are now above the law? I still am amazed that anyone can so arrogantly, merely disregard the law,” Garcia said.

Garcia ended her talk with the residents yesterday by encouraging their all out support to their legal action.

“It’s one thing to set a direction; it’s another thing to follow it through. Hopefully in spite of this total disregard of the law, in the end the truth will prevail. We will win over all these arrogance and this bullying,” the governor said. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)