Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia slams Sen. Tulfo’s ‘misguided’ CNBT critique

The Cebu provincial government sharply rebuked Senator Raffy Tulfo for what it called an “uninformed” and “misleading” portrayal of the Cebu North Bus Terminal (CNBT) following his high-profile inspection, which it said unfairly tarnished the facility’s reputation.

Tulfo, trailed by a media team, raised a litany of concerns: dilapidated buses lacking fire extinguishers, V-hires charged P200 to park inside CNBT while taxis freely picked up passengers outside, broken electric fans and pushcarts, and paid restroom facilities. His remarks, amplified on social media, sparked a firestorm of criticism against the Capitol-run terminal.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, visibly irked by what she termed “Tulfo Justice,” accused the senator of rushing to judgment without context. “Ignorance of the law excuses no one—be it an ordinary citizen or a senator. Public officials must act with circumspection,” Garcia said during an April 10 press briefing.

Addressing Tulfo’s points, Garcia clarified that bus conditions fall under the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), not the Capitol. On V-hires, she explained the P200 fee stems from an agreement with operators, who are not forced to park inside. Taxis outside CNBT, she added, are beyond the province’s jurisdiction as Cebu City operates independently.

The governor admitted some fans and pushcarts, initially provided in 2020 when CNBT opened, have worn out, but repairs and replacements are underway pending an audit.

Why the Capitol runs CNBT

Built in the 1990s under a Japan-funded Metro Cebu Development Project, CNBT was originally leased from Mandaue City and managed by Cebu Provincial Bus Operators. When Mandaue declined to renew the lease in 2019, the Capitol stepped in by 2020, relocating the terminal temporarily to a donated SM City Cebu parking lot under a usufruct agreement.

This arrangement, Garcia noted, limits major upgrades like free restrooms, as SM’s approval is required. Still, commuters benefit from mall amenities and connectivity, while SM gains foot traffic—a mutually beneficial setup.

Premium restrooms defended

Tulfo’s tirade against Mister Loo, the private operator of CNBT’s paid restrooms, drew particular ire. The senator reportedly told an employee they’d be jobless by the next day for charging fees. Garcia countered that Republic Act No. 11311 allows premium, commercial restrooms in terminals, distinct from free public facilities.

Mister Loo’s operation, a public-private partnership vetted through a Swiss Challenge, costs the Capitol nothing. For P10 (toilet) or P20 (shower), passengers get a clean, well-equipped alternative to SM’s restrooms. Andreas Wanner, Mister Loo’s Swiss co-founder, flown in for the briefing, expressed shock at Tulfo’s hasty conclusions. “Observe, clarify, investigate—that’s the proper way,” he said.

A call for responsibility

Garcia, known for her measured leadership, urged public figures to prioritize facts over publicity stunts. “When entrusted with public confidence, we cannot act recklessly for clout,” she said. “I always seek the whys, whats, and wherefores before reacting.”

The governor’s rejoinder underscores a broader challenge: balancing accountability with informed critique, especially in the age of viral outrage. For now, the Capitol stands firm, defending its stewardship of CNBT against what it sees as an unfair attack.