Raymond says Tomas wary of his 2028 political comeback

Local

THEY are threatened.

Former Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia believes Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña continues to target him out of fear that he may return to politics in 2028.

In a radio interview on Saturday, July 12, Garcia said he has no other explanation for the persistent attacks from Osmeña, suggesting the political veteran remains "threatened" by the possibility of his comeback.

“Wala koy laing matan-aw ani. Tingale threatened gihapon sila nako nga tulo ka tuig mudagan gihapon ta,” Garcia said. “Pero layo pa kaayo na. Importante unta karon, focus ta sa trabaho.”

Garcia said he would rather stay out of the spotlight, having resumed private life as a lawyer, but said he was forced to respond after being accused of anomalies during his term.

“Kahibaw ka, naghilom-hilom naman unta ko. Dili na unta ko ganahan magpakita sa publiko. Pero lage, if naa man gud alegasyon nga ing-ana, dapat tubagon gyud na kay kung dili, maghunahuna ang mga tawo nga tinuod,” he said. "Mao na nga nihimo gyud ko ug effort nga mutubag.”

The former mayor urged City Hall’s new leaders to focus on delivering public service, rather than prolonging political tensions.

"Focus lang usa sa kaayohan sa katawhan. Mao na ang angay buhaton, dili angay mamolitika gihapon at this stage," Garcia added.

Garcia also reiterated that the controversial P4.4-million BYD Tang electric vehicle flagged by Osmeña was never paid for, and the transaction had been legally canceled before any public funds were disbursed.

"First of all, canceled na nga transaction. Bisan piso, wala nibayad ang syudad sa Sugbo ana kay giuli na nga sakyanan," Garcia said.

He explained that the purchase was initially prompted by a request from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) for a vehicle.

Its approval later, he said, served as compliance with a national policy requiring that at least 10 percent of a government fleet be electric, a requirement Cebu City had not yet met at the time.

"Abogado man ta. Naay balaod nga nag-ingon nga kung LGU ka, at least 10 percent sa imong sakyanan dapat electric," he said. "Mao to nga ako gi-approbahan.”

The procurement went through regular processes, but Garcia said it was eventually stopped due to technical lapses in the terms of reference.

The request for cancellation, he emphasized, was made even before the May elections.

"Ang letter ni Architect [Florante] Catalan to Atty. [Kristine] Batucan nga ipa-cancel, before elections pa. After elections na fully canceled, pero hagbay na giuli ang sakyanan," Garcia said.

He backed then-Mayor Michael Rama’s earlier statement that there can be no liability if no injury or loss was incurred by the government.

"When there is no damage, no injury from the government, there is no liability. Sakto pod to iyang gipang-ingon," Garcia said, noting that Rama had offered to be his legal counsel.

"Welcome nako iyang giingon nga willing siya ma-abogado nako. But I don’t need it at this point in time, ilabi na nga wala tay course of action," he added.

Garcia has been embroiled in a word war with the current administration over alleged overpriced procurements during his term.

Earlier this week, he accused Mayor Nestor Archival and Vice Mayor Osmeña of spreading “fake news” and demanded a public apology for what he called “fabricated lies.”

He said the allegations are meant to discredit his administration and distract from the city's present-day problems.

Osmeña, meanwhile, has stood firm, continuing to raise questions over government spending and citing the procurement of other high-priced vehicles.

Garcia said he is still considering legal action, but prefers the attacks to stop.(TGP)