Apologize, Tomas tells councilor

Apologize or face libel charges.

This was the demand made by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña against opposition Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia after the latter alleged that a bus previously issued to Barangay Busay was “left to rot” since the village is not identified with Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

“Tell Raymond Garcia to apologize or I will accuse him of libel. He said I got the bus so that the people will not use it. I just really want to expose to people what he really is. He doesn’t even bother to check. He makes an announcement already that I’m depriving the people of Busay from using the bus,” he said.

A photo of the vehicle was uploaded in the councilor’s official Facebook page last April 21.

“It was taken by (former mayor Michael) Rama, not me, and it’s beyond repair. But I will grant his wish. Tell them to pick it up, they can use it. Your wish is granted, get it,” Osmeña said.

Sought for comment, Garcia said he has no qualms about issuing a public apology.

But before that, he will conduct a personal investigation on the matter within the week.

“If sayop ko, then I will issue an apology. I want confirmation from the barangay captain and councilors because it’s the barangay officials who raised the issue, not me,” he said.