Sonny visits Labella; VM: nothing political

Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña paid a courtesy call on Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who celebrated his birthday yesterday.

In an interview, Labella said the visit was not about politics because the mayor was merely consulting him on how to go about consolidating barangays.

“He came over to inquire on the mechanics on the merging or consolidation of barangays in his city as provided under the Local Government Code. I think he consulted me considering that I’m a lawyer,” Labella said.

Labella said the power to merge barangays is within the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Before he became vice mayor and presiding officer of the City Council, Labella served as three-term councilor and chaired the committee on laws.

The Office of the Ombudsman suspended Mayor Sonny last September for his refusal to disclose the real tax property shares of two barangays in Toledo City.

During the mayor’s visit yesterday, Councilor Renato “Junjun” Osmeña was also present, but Labella said the presence of the two Osmeñas was just coincidental.

“Councilor Junjun was here in my office because we were having a caucus; it was merely coincidental that the uncle and nephew met in my office,” Labella said.

Mayor Sonny is the cousin of Mayor Tomas Osmeña while Councilor Junjun is their nephew.

Lately, Councilor Junjun and Mayor Osmeña have not been on good terms after the former accused his uncle of shouting at him in a hotel lobby.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, the mayor’s wife, defended her husband, saying he was disappointed when Councilor Junjun voted against the approval of the resolution that would have authorized the mayor to sign a deal for an P18-billion joint venture.

“If Tommy really shouted at him, don’t you think other people would have heard it?” Councilor Margot said.

The Office of the Ombudsman suspended Mayor Sonny Osmeña last September for his refusal to disclose the real tax property shares of two barangays in Toledo City.