Cuenco can't defend SRP

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña said former congressman Antonio Cuenco cannot be accepted to run for Congress under the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan because he might not be able to defend the South Road Properties from those who want to “destroy” it.

During a press conference yesterday, Osmeña presented a newspaper report, published on April 16, 2009, quoting Cuenco as saying that there should be a House Inquiry into the joint venture agreement entered into by the city and Filinvest Land Inc.

Cuenco, according to the newspaper report, said “he believes the City Council did not thoroughly review the joint venture contract after seeing that the provisions were not improved to protect the interest of the city.”

Osmeña did not act on the report because Cuenco was no longer a candidate during that time.

The report also showed Cuenco’s meeting with Cebu third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, Cebu second district Rep. Pablo Garcia and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who sought a House probe into the joint venture.

Osmeña said if Cuenco believed the joint venture was anomalous, he should have filed a case questioning the deal, which covers a 40-hectare lot at the SRP to be developed by Filinvest.

Filinvest is now constructing various projects in the area with the city government receiving 10 percent of the gross sales.

Osmeña recalled that he was forced to run for Congress against businessman Jonathan Guardo in 2010 in order to protect the 295-hectare SRP, which he calls his “baby.”

With Cuenco’s statement, Osmeña said the former congressman may not be able to protect the interest of SRP from those who are planning to destroy it.

But Cuenco, now based in Jakarta, Indonesia as secretary general of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), branded the newspaper report as false.

“I remember that when the SRP project was presented before the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for approval, I was present to lend my support,” said Cuenco, who announced his intention to run for congressman under the camp of Mayor Michael Rama.

“When there was a conflict between Cebu City and Talisay pending before the Department of Justice, I even defended Cebu City’s claim to SRP’s title. However, when Pablo John Garcia called for a congressional inquiry because of an alleged anomaly in the contract with Filinvest, I favored the inquiry in the interest of truth,” Cuenco added.

Osmeña said if Cuenco decides to question the joint venture before the court, he should not worry because the contract is advantageous to the city.

Assistant city treasurer Emma Villarete announced that this month, the city is expected to receive P600 million as share from the sales of Filinvest’s condominium projects.

BOPK candidates

Meanwhile, Osmeña announced probable candidates for councilors in the south district that include former opposition leader and Cogon-Pardo barangay captain Eugenio Gabuya Jr.

The congressman’s wife, Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, said even during the campaign period when Gabuya was still with the Kugi Uswag Sugbo (Kusug), he was never hostile towards BOPK.

Other probable BOPK candidates for councilors in the south district are Labangon councilwoman Zenaida Amores, former city SK federation president Rengelle Pelayo, former city councilor Gabriel Leyson and councilor Augustus Pe Jr., who had transferred from the north district.

In the north, Osmeña already announced that Kasambagan barangay councilman Franklin Ong would replace Pe. He said he is still looking for other candidates.

Osmeña said the BOPK is still considering fielding either former DOTC Undersecretary Aristotle Batuhan or Councilor Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa to run for south district congressman.

He, however, challenged the two to try their best to convince the people that they are worthy for the position.

Osmeña said there will be a survey in October and if the result would suggest that Batuhan or Abellanosa will fare poorly against Cuenco, he will be forced to look for other candidate.

Although 30 of the 34 barangay captains in the south district already signified their support to Cuenco, many of them said they will switch allegiance to Margot if she decides to run for Congress. — /LPM (FREEMAN)