Tom allegedly using SRP launch to advance BOPK

CEBU, Philippines - Four taxpayers of Cebu City want the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct an investigation into the South Road Properties launching.

Lawyer Alfredo Sipalay brought the letter and joint affidavit of the complainants to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas yesterday.

The complainants were Peter Onde and Rodulfo Pepito, both residents of Barangay Carreta; Leonardo Abarquez, of Barangay Bulacao; and Fletcher Pinatil, of Barangay Kamputhaw.

According to the joint affidavit submitted by the complainants, Cebu City Mayor Osmeña is scheduling the launching of the SRP on May 8, 2010, using taxpayers’ money for the three big companies investing in the SRP.

Allegedly, at least P2 million has been reported to have been spent by the Cebu City government for the said launching.

According to the complainants, the said launching is actually intended for political purposes and actually the “miting de avance” or the final meeting/rally of Osmeña’s political party, the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan which is fielding a complete slate of local candidates for the May 10, 2010 elections.

“SRP finances through a multi-billion peso loan which the taxpayers of Cebu City have been paying and will continue to pay,” the complainants said.

Some hectares of the 295-hectare SRP have been leased to international movie productions firm and two giant land developers.

The complainants asked Pelagio Apostol, deputy ombudsman of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate and file the appropriate charges against Osmeña if he uses the SRP launching as a ploy to advance the political interests of BOPK.

Meanwhile, Cebuanos are in for a treat at the SRP launching on May 8 at 7 p.m. as Cebu City, through Pyroworks, will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the most fireworks launched.

The FREEMAN learned that from the original plan of 120,000 rockets launched in 30 seconds, Pyroworks led by Brian Benjamin Lim will attempt to set the most fireworks rockets with 128,000 in just six seconds.

The standing GWR record for the most fireworks rockets launched is 56,405 in 30 seconds in Plymouth, UK in 2006.

Last year, Bournemoth, UK, launched 110,000 fireworks in 6.5 seconds, but the attempt has not yet been confirmed by the GWR that led Pyroworks to push through with its attempt.

With the same individuals that helped Dancesport-Team Cebu City achieve its world record for the biggest dance class last year plus the full support of the Cebu City government, Lim is positive that this will be a successful one.

A glimpse of the GWR will take place tonight at the SRP during the media tour of the event site.

Aside from the GWR attempt, the Cebu Festival 2010 include several sporting activities including baseball, softball, flag football, tough rugby, football, car show and a drag race, ultimate Frisbee, boxing, mixed martial arts, run, and motocross plus the City Hall Family Day, a night bazaar, nightly entertainment, agro fair, women and persons with disabilities day, Sangguniang Kabataan Day and Senior Citizen’s Day.

Carnival rides and an array of food and barbeque cookouts will be put up for everyone going to the SRP.

All events are free to the public and the city government will field six buses in the north district and another six at the south district to ferry spectators to the SRP for free. – THE FREEMAN