Cockpits, farms, water: SALNs show officials’ business savvy

Apart from being public servants, some officials of the Cebu City Government are also in business, as reflected on their 2017 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Mayor Tomas Osmeña and his wife Councilor Margarita Osmeña declared a combined net worth of P10.7 million, which is higher than their P8.8 million net worth in 2016. Both are also stockholders in two private firms.

In their joint statement, the mayor and Councilor Osmeña declared P12.7 million worth of personal and other properties including cash on hand and in banks (P2.3 million), jewelry P350,000, investments in shares of stock (P694,000), car and accessories (P9.02 million), furniture and fixtures (P320,000), and six firearms. The guns were all donated, they said.

They had no real properties and their only liability is a P2,034,827 car loan with Metrobank.

Advertising, too

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who declared P13 million as his net worth, is also president of Labella Agrifarms Inc. since 2009 and senior partner of E.C. Labella and Partners since 2014.

Councilor Renato Osmeña, who reported the highest net worth at some P39.1 million, also serves as chief executive officer of a transport service, as president of a general merchandise, and board member of two advertising companies.

Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr., who declared P1.1 million as his net worth, is also connected to three companies including a shipping firm, advertising and promotion services firm, and a real estate firm.

Councilor Alvin Arcilla declared P5.3 million as his net worth, along with connections to an export company and general merchandise store.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, who is an engineer, declared in his SALN that he also operates an enterprise and engineering construction firm. He declared a net worth of P5 million.

Councilor Joy Augustus Young, who also declared P5 million as his net worth, is connected with a real estate company and a livestock company.

Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr., with a declared net worth of P4 million, also operates a cockpit in Barangay Agsungot.

Law, water

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, who is also a lawyer, serves as a partner in Rama and Pesquera Law Office. She declared a net worth of P4.9 million.

Councilor Eugenio

Gabuya operates a water refilling station and has declared a net worth of P5.1 million.

Under Republic Act

3019 or the Anti-graft and

Corrupt Practices Act and

Republic Act

6713 or the

Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, elected officials are required to submit their

SALNs every year to the Ombudsman.

Councilors Mary Ann delos Santos (P15.02 million net worth), Sisinio Andales (P8.6 million net worth), Jose Daluz III (P3.4 million net worth), Raymond Alvin Garcia (P1.3 million net worth) and Joel Garganera (P830,000 net worth) did not declare any business interests. Councilor Dave Tumulak did not release a copy of his SALN while Councilor Phillip Zafra’s SALN was not available as of yesterday.

Public officials have an obligation to submit declarations under oath of, and the public has the right to know, their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interests including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households. RA 6713