Tomas hits back at Garganera

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña lashed back at Councilor Joel Garganera for criticizing him over the delay in the development of the 45-hectare lot at the South Road Properties that would have generated around 100,000 jobs for Cebuanos.

Osmeña said Garganera has not produced one investor for Barangay Tinago when he was an official for several years.

“I want to comment on Garganera. He said we could have produced 100,000 jobs. Let me just point out the fact that Garganera said I have no vision. He has not even produced one investor for his barangay. So, who is he to dictate that we’ll produce 100,000 jobs?” Osmeña said.

Garganera criticized the mayor for not acting on the permits applied by the consortium of Ayala Land, Cebu Holdings Inc., and SM Prime Holdings on the property they bought in 2015 during the administration of then mayor Michael Rama.

Garganera said the consortium is planning to establish a world-class sports arena and concert center as well as a business park for call center companies at SRP.

“If he, as city mayor, is trying to judge his accomplishments by the standards of what a barangay captain can do, then we are doomed. No wonder we are facing worsening traffic, floods and garbage,” Garganera said.

Garganera said the mayor is busy making “rich people happy” by reportedly giving them “favors” despite the legal questions of the opposition.

“So, I will change my statement. He is a visionary for the rich. Ang tinuod nga babag sa kalamboan – traffic, basura, baha,” he added.

Garganera said Osmeña should admit that he is a “failure” as he has been the mayor for over 30 years but there are still problems that have not been addressed. Osmeña has been vocal on his stand that the P16 billion sale of the 45-hectare to giant firms was “invalid.”

Aside from saying that Rama reportedly had no authority to sign the Deed of Sale, Osmeña alleged that there was no evidence that the giant developers formed a consortium to purchase the properties.

Osmeña said he is still waiting for the response of the Commission on Audit as he asked the office to disapprove the 45-hectare lot sale. The mayor said the 45-hectares bought by the giant developers are still empty.

“He (Garganera) says about vision. The vision of Garganera is that SRP is illegal. Why is he saying I have no vision? He said and I challenge him…he said if anyone will buy SRP, I will resign. And he says I have no vision?” the mayor said.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera also said that the sports arena could have been completed had Osmeña acted on the application of the giant firms. She said the mayor is just showing that he is the “greatest salesman” as the latter want to dispose the parcels of lots at SRP.