Councilor asks IBP to weigh in on skirmish

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera wants the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to issue a statement on the confrontation between Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Court Sheriff El Cid Caballes last week.

Caballes was the sheriff tasked to implement a court-ordered demolition in Sitio Sta. Cruz, Barangay Capitol Site.

Two days after the dispute, Osmeña challenged the court, sheriff and court lot claimant to file charges against him. Caballes, on the other hand, said that he will not be taking any legal action against the mayor.

Garganera wants to know where the IBP stands on the issue.

“I’m challenging the IBP. Why are they so silent about this? Even if we were to believe that the sheriff went beyond his duties, is the remedy to assault the sheriff, who was the representative of the court? Was that proper? The remedy should be to go to court and trust that the court will render justice.”

“It’s just a political stunt. His (Osmeña) presence is already tantamount to intimidation. He could have achieved what he wants if he acted accordingly, but he goes there, collaring the sheriff. For me, the sheriff was just doing his job,” he added.

Sought for comment, Osmeña told reporters that this is all part of the Barug Team Rama councilor’s “publicity stunt.”