Osmeña, Labella defend Cuizon
Top Cebu City officials disagreed with Senator Antonio Trillanes' pronouncement linking Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 Director Ahmed Cuizon in the alleged Uber extortion.
In separate interviews yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said they know that Cuizon is a “strict official” and would condemn graft and corruption practices.
“I find that hard to believe. Ahmed is so strict. As a matter of fact, all of them were relieved (during) the P-Noy administration except Ahmed because he was the only one who did not grant additional franchise,” Osmeña told reporters.
The mayor said Cuizon was also directed to act as officer-in-charge of LTFRB-8 in a concurrent position while there is no appointed official there.
To recall, Cuizon's name was mentioned during the Senate inquiry last Thursday on the P6.4 billion shabu shipment that slipped through the Bureau of Customs.
Cuizon vehemently denied the allegation, saying his concurrent assignment at LTFRB-8 would not have happened if he was involved in illegal activities.
Trillanes accused Cuizon of being involved in the alleged extortion of Uber and similar ridehailing companies together with presidential son Paulo Duterte and presidential son-in-law Mans Carpio.
Sought for comment, Cuizon thanked Osmeña and Labella for their kind words.
“Our local leaders know best about what's going on in the community and I'm glad that they see nothing wrong with how we do our job,” Cuizon told The FREEMAN.
Cuizon said Trillanes' allegations have not dampened his spirit as he vows to still continue to work.
Osmeña said he could not believe the accusations against Cuizon.
“It's unfair man gyod when you have situations like that. I know him (Cuizon) personally, very strict. Dili man ka makasulod even with jeepney franchise. Walay pili. Parehas ang treatment sa tanan,” the mayor said.
Labella, for his part, said he is not surprised that Trillanes is making pronouncements without presenting shreds of evidence.
“I'm not surprised with Trillanes. He has always been making malicious innuendo without any evidence whatsoever. It's not surprising,” Labella said.
The vice mayor said he knows Cuizon but added he has no personal knowledge about the accusations.
But Labella said it is too far-fetched to believe that Cuizon is involved in illegal activities.
“They are my friends and, as far as I know, they are not involved,” the vice mayor added.