Opposition to hold Mass on the same day as BOPK

Both local parties— Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan and Barug Team Rama—in Cebu City will hold separate Holy Masses for different intentions on September 9.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the BOPK members and some City Hall employees will hold a Thanksgiving Mass for the approval of his programs and projects, including the P18-billion development on Kawit Island, the 93-1 land swap deal, the establishment of central material and sanitary landfill in Barangay Binaliw, and victories in the Association of Barangay Councils and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation elections, among others.

The opposition, on the other hand, has decided to hold a Solidarity Mass to boost the police’s morale that has been “attacked” by Osmeña, said Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

Garcia, an ally of Barug Team Rama, said the opposition members want to show to the public that they are supporting the police who are responsible for the city’s peace and order.

“Because grabe na kaayo ang gibuhat ni mayor Osmeña sa police. Grabe na kaayo iyang gipamasangil. He has no respect to the police whatsoever,” he said.

The mayor has been vocal on his belief that police may have a hand in the spate of killings in Cebu.

Garcia also criticized the mayor for disobeying the law.

Garcia said Osmeña has no respect for the law after the latter requested for the release of three men apprehended for refilling butane canisters with liquefied petroleum gas.

“He’s painting a very bad picture sa atong kapolisan. Para nako, we should rally behind the police. We should support the police kay wala man ta’y laing kadaganan,” Garcia said.

He added that the peace and order situation in the city might be put at risk with the “notso-good” relationship between the mayor and the police.

Some of the invited attendees of the Solidarity Mass are Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, former mayor Michael Rama, councilors allied with the group, supporters, Cebu City Police Office Chief Senior Supt. Royina Garma, Police Regional Office - 7 Director Debold Sinas, and police station commanders, among others.

On the other hand, Councilor Joel Garganera, member of Barug Team Rama, urged the beneficiaries of 93-1 not to attend the Mass sponsored by the administration.

“Probably the mayor will use the beneficiaries of the 93-1 to rally behind this particular cause of him against the police. I just want to disabuse the minds nianing mga 93-1 beneficiaries… If there are invitations from the city government, DWUP, please do not allow yourselves to be used politically,” he said.

Osmeña was unavailable for comment as of press time.

Earlier, the mayor said he will answer all the accusations of the police on September 9.

Osmeña, on his official Facebook page, clarified that the September 9 event is not an anti-police rally, contrary to an earlier report.