Tomas admits spending for flyers vs captains

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña admitted that he spent for the printing and distribution of flyers which contains the names of the incumbent opposition barangay captains who allegedly fail to liquidate and return the city's aid to them.

The mayor already sued at least 14 barangay captains allied with the opposition on their alleged failure to liquidate and return the financial assistance given to them three years ago.

“I'm just reporting to their constituents what kind of crooks their barangay captains are. It's for the people to decide. Let them explain it to them,” he told reporters.

Yesterday, Apas barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman posted on his Facebook account the printed flyers. One of the flyers contains the names of the barangay officials and their respective unliquidated cash assistance from the city.

Ayuman, in his post, said the mayor is making up stories even if the barangay officials have allegedly endorsed their liquidation to the City Hall.

“Mga mabuot natong taga barangay, usa kini ka matang sa panpangilad ug desperado nga lakang sa yabag nga mayor,” he said.

Another set of flyers contains the photo of the mayor with the information that he will still be the mayor no matter what the results of the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this May 14 will be.

Ayuman said the mayor is just using it for “black propaganda.”

Osmeña admitted right away that he is behind the printing and distribution of the flyers since he wants the people in the barangay to know the barangay officials who are not transparent in spending the city's aid to them.

But the mayor said the flyers are not for “black propaganda” because these contain information based on records.

“I put my name there. Black propaganda is when there's no name. My name is there. It came from Tomas Osmeña, the mayor. I'm open to any suit,” he said, adding that anyone can sue him for printing the flyers.

Last week, the mayor filed criminal and administrative complaints against 14 barangay captains before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

These barangay captains are Ayuman, Tisa Captain Phillip Zafra, Calamba Captain Maria Yvonne Feliciano, Basak Pardo Captain Yolandito Cagang, Basak San Nicolas Captain Norman Navarro, Barangay Kamputhaw Captain Trifonio Lequigan, Jr., Pasil Barangay Captain Julius Guioguio, Sambag I Captain Lemar Alcover and Tinago barangay captain Rafael Briones.

Other respondents of the case are Adlaon Barangay captain Nieves Narra, Agsungot barangay Captain Annie Alcover, Binaliw barangay Captain Wilson Bacor, Bonbon Captain Alexander Ibarita, Budlaan Captain Nerissa Antolihao, and Sudlon I Captain Dante Tabucal.

The same financial assistance was questioned by the Commission on Audit years ago.

Meanwhile, Cebu City North District election officer Atty. Gallardo Escobar asked Ayuman to produce a list of city hall workers so that his office can review and verify reports that city hall employees are appointed as Board of Tellers for the upcoming elections.

He denied that Comelec and Osmeña are conniving in order to manipulate the barangay and SK elections.

“Nganlan na niya og kinsa na kay wala baya ko kaila og kinsa na. Pagassume nako ni-courtesy call ko niya, wala mi naghisgot ana. Ni-courtesy call lang ko as new election officer,” Escobar said.

He was appointed as the new north district election officer on April 17, 2018.

Escobar said City Hall workers are not qualified to be electoral members as it is a considered partisan.

Under Section 12 of RA 10756 or An Act Rendering Election Service Non-Compulsory for Public School Teachers, Authorizing the Appointment of other Qualified Citizens, Providing for Compensation and other Benefits, the substitute of public school teachers can be private school teachers and national government employees who are holding regular or permanent positions, excluding uniformed personnel.

Osmeña denied that he is trying to manipulate the upcoming election by appointing City Hall workers as electoral board members.

“That's the way they think because I know that's what they like to do. I'm sorry I am not like that. I don't apply their standards and code of ethics. They have dirty minds. They think I have dirty minds like them. Excuse me, I don't belong to that level,” he said.

But he admits that he is open to allow City Hall workers to serve in the election as long as they are not in the sensitive position.

In Cambinocot, Barangay Captain Reynald Lauron complained that a dead person is included in the list of those who will serve in barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Lauron, who is seeking re-election, posted on his Facebook account detailing that a certain Ardita Jose Quimbo is among those who will serve during election period.

In an interview, he told The FREEMAN that when he got a copy of the electoral board for his barangay, he noticed that Quimbo, who died in December 2015, is in the list as third member.