In the aftermath of the SRP

A copy of the Court of Appeals resolution on the motion for reconsideration to its May 10, 2006 decision dismissing Cebu City's petition to nullify the Talisay cityhood, had somehow landed in this corner. It's either for plain info input, or a tacit invitation for one to comment on.

Anyway, most Cebuano media patrons have already known the denial of the Cebu City motion for recon, and of the same fate lately to its second motion for recon, as they found their way in local media outlets.

On the legal pros and cons of the petition, there's nothing to highlight, since the only issue dwells on the requisite minimum population for cityhood. The petitioner through Mayor Tomas Osmeña has alleged that the population of then Talisay town as short of the minimum 150,000 when it sought constituent cityhood. In controversion, Talisay has banked on NSO Administrator Tomas Africa's letter certifying 150,238 Talisay population as of February 1, 2000. And, the CA consistently upheld the latter stat giving way to R.A. 8979, the Talisay City Charter.

Cebu City has reportedly made a timely appeal to the Supreme Court, so the case is not yet put to rest... Meantime, whether or not the strained relations between the two neighbor cities, and/or further rancorous conflicts, or future legal skirmishes would still ensue, is something else.

For now, it's quite refreshing that the acrimonious bad-mouthing at the Talisay end from the testy tongue of Mayor Tommy O has ceased. Probably though, the trauma on Talisaynons bearing the brunt of collateral damage, say, their market vendors kicked out from Cebu City, casual employees at City Hall not renewed, the initial ban from SRP, or the sting of the verbal barbs, are ugly scars... Fortunately, they didn't hit back in vendetta fashion by closing the MCWD water wells in Jaclopan supplying a great bulk of Cebu City users.

Though many hope for the best between Cebu City and Talisay City, it's the height of naivete to wish no further conflicts after the cityhood issue. Foremost, is the unresolved 54-hectare claim of Talisay City over the SRP for alleged intrusion into its then municipal waters. This is the mother of the animosity of Mayor Tommy O in such attritive intensity and of such feudal bitterness. A court battle royale as the only option left to settle the looming conflict is inevitable.

A likely aftermath of the SRP, a backlash like the cityhood, is in local politics. Come 2007 elections, Osmeña's sidekick, Councilor Gabriel Leyson, has long primed himself for mayor of Talisay, obviously to break Cong. Eddie Gullas' sphere of influence there. It's also probable for Mayor Tommy to field his first district choice to contest Eddiegul's bailiwick.

Since politics is a game of wits and give-and-take, Metro residents - to include Alvin Garcia and clique - may gladly welcome the possibility of Ex-Cong. and UV Vice-Pres. Jose "Dodong" Gullas to throw his hat to challenge Tommy O. Amiable and folksy Dodong who has just transferred his voting registration to barrio Guba where he has a sprawling mansion, can hold a candle to the curt and touchy Tommy.

It thus stands to reason that in the aftermath of the 54-hectare SRP portion squabble, both court battles and political skirmishes in expanded fields are unavoidable.

What gets tested in full measure is the true mettle and character of the protagonists. Would they, or either or any of them, have the 24-carat quality to follow the straight and the narrow that only true gentlemen, statesmen, and elegant men observe no matter what and no matter when? Or, would they, or either or any of them, succumb later to the heat of battle, or the pressure of emotions, and be wanting in poise and finesse in words and in deeds?

It's a thrill to see who shall have the finest steel to avoid the vent of vengefulness, or the gift of propriety transcending the petty as to blunt the blade of rancor later. That, in essence, is worth awaiting as possible aftermath of what this New Year has in store with regard to the fractious SRP issue!

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