Tomas, Gullas foes no more

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas and Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña yesterday led the groundbreaking ceremony of a project that will be funded using Osmeña’s congressional funds which he gave as gift to Gullas’ district.

The funds for the proposed widening of Langtad Bridge in Naga City will be taken from the P400 million from Osmeña’s congressional funds but were diverted to the road widening project from Naga City to Carcar City, which is in the district of Gullas.

The budget was supposed to be for a new flyover across the Mormon Temple in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City but opposition from various sectors forced the Department of Public and Highways (DPWH) and Osmeña to realign national funds.

But Mayor Michael Rama described the project as a “misplaced affection” and said that it would be better for Osmeña to run in the first district.

Prior to the groundbreaking ceremony, Osmeña told reporters that the project will greatly develop the southern part of Cebu as well as the SRP.

“By widening this road, it will strengthen our linkages from Cebu to Bohol and to Negros,” Osmeña said, adding that even if he is only a neophyte congressman, he was still able to look for funds and help other districts in the province.

The road has  four lanes and the widening of the Langtad Bridge is expected to be finished by August 22.

In the DPWH breakdown of the P400 million, more than half or P270.6 million will be used to widen bridges and its approaches in barangays Tinaan, Langtad, San Isidro, San Fernando, Suba and Valladolid.

Other projects to be charged against the P400 million are the improvement of lined canals at the Carcar and Sibonga sections of N. Bacalso Avenue (P23.4 million); the Carcar City bridge construction project ( P50 million) and the Carcar City bypass road project (P56 million).

Gullas described the diverted P400 million from Osmeña’s PDAF as a “manna” from heaven.

The South Cebu road widening would cost P1.25 billion and that the P250 million earlier allocated was not enough, Gullas said.

Gullas expressed his “gratitude to Congressman Osmeña and also to his opponent in the city for not accepting it.” 

For the first time, Gullas public admitted that he has reconciled with Osmeña after they traded foul words years back because of the South Road Properties.

In his message, Gullas called Osmeña as close friend in the House of Representatives.

Gullas thanked Osmeña that despite their differences in 2004, they reconciled in 2010 when the Osmeña became a member of the Lower House.

“Akong suod nga higala sa 15th Congress, Congressman Tomas Osmeña. Congressman Osmeña, I personally thank you. In the past, we have differences because at that time, I am protecting my city and you are protecting your city,” Gullas said.

Osmeña and Gullas clashed over the South Road Properties (SRP), formerly known as the South Reclamation Project, after Gullas claimed that part of it rightfully belongs to Talisay City.

The rift worsened in 2004 when Osmeña, then mayor of Cebu City, drove away fish vendors who happened to be Talisay residents from Cebu City’s public markets.

The rift of the two leaders reached to the point when Osmeña questioned in court the conversion of Talisay into a city, on the grounds that it lacked the required population.

The former mayor even called Gullas a land-grabber.

But Osmeña said that what happened between him and Gullas was “nothing personal.” — with Jessa Chrisna Marie J. Agua/MBG (FREEMAN)