NEWS BRIEFS
GARCIA VS OSMEÑA
REP. Pablo John Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district said he was being charitable when he welcomed the announcement of former senator John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña that he will run against him in 2013.
“When he tried to defeat a Garcia for the past six elections, the first four elections he was at the height of his power as senator so being Christmas, I would like to be charitable and say I welcome his intention to run against me in the 3rd district,” he added.
In last Tuesday’s 888 forum, Pablo John confirmed that he would seek reelection for a third term.
Osmeña, a former congressman of the 3rd district, announced his bid for the district last July.
The announcement coincided with medical mission in barangay Bulongan, Toledo city where former congressman, Dr. Antonio “Jun” Yapha also announced his candidacy for a seat in the Provincial Board (PB) in 2013 with former PB member Victoria “Tata” Corominas.
While Osmeña said he was confident of victory, Garcia said Sonny has been ‘trying to defeat’ the Garcias since 1995.
“He’s been trying to defeat a Garcia whether in the time of my father to the time of my sister, to my time, so the past six elections since 1995 he has been trying to defeat our family, but he has never succeeded,” he said.
Osmeña said he wants to “continue what he had started in the third district” when he was congressman from 1995 to 1998.
“Consider this as a starting point in our long effort to continue with what we have done before. I am very proud of my record in the third district, of all the good things that I have done for the third district,” he said.Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus
NO CASH AID YET
SEVEN months since the demolition of their shanties along the Mahiga Creek, sitio San Isidro residents have yet to receive cash assistance from the Cebu City government.
Councilor Alvin Dizon, head of the city council’s housing committee, said affected families visited his city hall office two weeks ago to make a follow up on their money claims.
We should listen to this. But until now there are no guidelines for the release of livelihood assistance,” he said.
The City Council passed a P10 million outlay in Supplemental Budget 2 in September for the release of P10, 000 livelihood assistance to Mahiga Creek families and other families removed from danger zones.
The outlay has not been released because of lack of guidelines.
“I do not know why the release hasn’t been made yet. There’s someone assigned to handle that, said Mayor Michael Rama when sought for comment.
His executive assistant Susan Ardosa told reporters that an Executive Order which will provide guidelines for the release of the P10, 000 livelihood assistance was already sent to Rama’s office for his signature.
Rama said he has not yet seen the draft EO. /Chief of Reporters Doris C.
Bongcac
