Guardo says he did not engage in "body grabbing"

CEBU, Philippines - Opposition leader Jonathan Guardo belied the statement of Mayor Tomas Osmeña that he was involved in “body grabbing” when his camp gave assistance to the family of Wilma Parba, the woman who died when a concrete fence of Casa Rosita gave way last Sunday.

In a press conference yesterday, Guardo said he even learned of the incident much later than Osmeña who was at the calamity site in sitio Tabayng Lawom barangay Tisa as early as 6am.

He is true that the city offered help to Parba’s family but the family itself reportedly refused to accept the assistance and chose to seek help from him instead.

“Wa gyud, mibalibad gyud sila. The family chose to ask help from us. Honestly I learned of the incident hapon na,” Guardo said.

“Atong serbisyo naa man dayon. Kaning mamatyan ta, kinahanglan man jud ta ug diha-diha dayon. And then Mayor Osmeña said na on process pa… siguro if they waited, wa pa siguro nasulod ron sa lungon,” Guardo added.

He said that aside from the fact that Parba was one of his women leaders in the barangay, Parba’s family reportedly already experienced disappointment when City Hall failed to assist them when a member of the family died.

Guardo suggested that the city adopt the quick giving if assistance especially during calamities.

The 10-meter concrete wall of Casa Rosita gave way when strong winds and heavy rains hit Cebu last weekend. The wall pinned down Parba while she was inside her house around 4am last Sunday.

Osmeña earlier alleged that Guardo used the incident for politics. Osmeña said he did not have time to argue about the body and would just let Guardo assist Parba’s family if he is willing to do so.

Meanwhile, City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said that because of the incident, Handumanan Realty Development Corporation (not Arcenas Development, as earlier reported), the developer of Casa Rosita, will have a hard time getting preliminary approval for a locational clearance and locational clearance to further develop the property.

Yesterday, Villarete issued a Notice of Violation to Handumanan, which also stated that it also lacked a development permit.

The Notice of Violation stated that if no action is done, the city will refer the issue to the City Attorney’s Office.

The developer was advised to take the necessary steps to ensure no further geotechnical or structural failure in the area that may further endanger the residents. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)