Osmeña urged: Be fair to rivals

Some Barug Team Rama councilors are requesting Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to approve the hiring of their consultants in the spirit of "fairness and equity."

Councilor Jose Daluz III said the mayor should not play "favoritism" to councilors especially his allies.

"That's tantamount to grave abuse of authority kay he cannot be selective and favor one councilor over the other because it will wrap the independence of the Council," Daluz told reporters.

What is given to one councilor should be accorded to all, he added.

Councilor James Anthony Cuenco said all requests for consultancy of Councilors of the Barug Team Rama were denied.

"Anyway, this is just a continuing manifestation in the spirit of equity and fairness for the executive to also consider the plight of the minority as practiced before even those who do not have committees in the past were given this privilege. I hope the executive will take a second look at this," Cuenco said.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia said he finds it "unfair" since the previous administration gave benefits to the opposition-dominated City Council.

Garcia said the councilors should be granted the benefits given to Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan Councilors.

Sought for comment, Osmeña said he will only approve the consultancy of Daluz and Eduardo Rama who supported the resolution expressing support on the implementation of the multibillion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project of the city.

"I acknowledge Joey (Daluz) and Edu (Rama) for not playing politics for a vital project of the city," Osmeña said.

When asked for comment about the alleged liability of grave abuse of authority, Osmeña said Daluz is "fortunately not the judge."

It was in the August 15 regular session when the council was divided on the resolution of Councilor Sisinio Andales who said BRT will address the worsening traffic congestion in the city.

In a 12-3-2 vote, the Council approved the resolution of Andales.

All nine councilors affiliated with Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan supported the BRT project including Team Rama Councilors Jose Daluz III, Eduardo Rama, and Phillip Zafra.

While the five Team Rama City councilors cited the lack of road widening in some areas of the 23-kilometer route of BRT as their reason why they registered their opposition and abstention about the resolution supporting the BRT project.

The three councilors who opposed the BRT project are Cuenco, Jocelyn Pesquera, and Pastor Alcover, Jr. while Councilors Garcia and Joel Garganera abstained from voting.

Osmeña said most Team Rama Councilors favored the "abolition" of BRT.