Soco calls Magpale an alarmist

CEBU, Philippines - Vice gubernatorial candidate and businessman Glenn Anthony Soco criticized Acting Governor Agnes Magpale for being an "alarmist" by reporting that Capitol is short of funds to pay its financial obligations.

"I was quite alarmed with her being the alarmist on that issue," Soco, who is running against Magpale in next year's election, said.

Suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia earlier said that the report destroyed the image of Cebu, which was recently awarded as the 2012 Most Business Friendly Local Government Unit for Province Category by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Soco, a member of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Magpale, being the acting governor, should not project the province as not capable of paying its financial obligations because it ruins public trust.

"Kinsa ma'y mosalig sa probinsiya og ma-perceive siya nga dili kabayad sa iyahang mga utang? Business is also about perception. A perception of a provincial government that can hardly pay its debts is not a good message to send to the public," Soco said.

 Although he did not know her intention of coming out with the report, Soco said that Magpale only presented selected facts that are not accurate.

He suggested that it would have been more prudent if Magpale presented the statement of financial condition of the Province of Cebu or probably the balance sheet.

The report did not also reflect the collectibles and the current sources of income as well as the assets of the provincial government.

"This somehow created a negative perception among the public and the business sector," said Soco, emphasizing that Cebu has a very strong private sector.

The MCCI is just one of the private sector partners of the undertakings of the provincial government.

Soco also questioned the timing of Magpale's camp in questioning the financial status of the Province of Cebu when she has been there for many years already with access to all the records.  Garcia yesterday said that the report may cause hesitation among investors to come.

Garcia said that Magpale should understand because the Provincial Board, which she heads, approves the budget and that she must protect the image of Cebu.

"Apan tungod lang kay gusto lang gyud siyang molalis sa akong claim nga number one kita nga probinsiya, bahala na og iya dauton ang probinsiya," Garcia said.

Garcia said that Magpale should not compare the financial status this year to the one she has presented in her last State of the Province Address because it was based on the closed fiscal year 2011.

"Wa man gyud na siya'y eksperensiya as chief executive. I doubt if she even understands og unsa ning budget ba," she said

Garcia's ally, former Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob, could not believe the province is short of money as he saw what the governor has done to the towns.

Magpale earlier claimed the Province of Cebu has almost P200 million in payables and has only P90.4 million left as cash in bank representing the general fund as of December 26, 2012.

But Garcia and her brother, Rep. Pablo John Garcia, retorted that Magpale is presenting an "incomplete" and "totally false" financial picture of the Province. (FREEMAN)