Prove existence of consortium: Tomas

If the sale of South Road Properties (SRP) lots was valid, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said documents should be presented to prove there was a consortium.

“How come we have no documents on the consortium? How can you sell it to someone who doesn’t exist? How can you sell it to a consortium?” he told reporters.

In 2015, the City Government awarded the sale of some SRP lots to the consortium of Ayala Land Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Filinvest Land Inc. The deal was closed for P16.76 billion.

Of the 45.2-hectare lot subjected for bidding, 26 hectares were bought by the consortium of Ayala and SM, while 19.2 hectares were bought by Filinvest Land Inc. (FLI).

Osmeña’s statement came after opposition Councilor Joel Garganera reiterated that the mayor is sitting on the approval of the development permits of a consortium of big commercial developers in the SRP.

In a privilege speech during the Aug. 14 City Council regular session, Garganera said that the consortium would open 100,000 jobs, 20 times more than the P18-billion Kawit Island project in the SRP can offer.

Garganera also said that the mayor is not a “visionary” leader, adding that the mayor has not even produced one investor from his barangay.

“So, who is he to dictate that we’ll produce a 100,000 jobs?” he said.

Garganera said Osmeña as mayor should not based his accomplishments on the standards of what a barangay captain should do.

“No wonder we are facing worsening traffic, floods and garbage. While he is busy making rich people happy by giving them favors despite serious legal questions, the ordinary people of Cebu City are wondering what he is doing for them in terms of traffic, garbage and flooding,” he said. /