Delute cries, denies Tom’s accusation

CEBU, Philippines — Reymelio Delute, a candidate for barangay captain of Basak San Nicolas, denied Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s allegations that he is making money out of his initiative to organize the vendors.

Delute, in a press conference, yesterday aired out his side on Osmeña’s accusation which was the reason why the mayor disowned him as a candidate under Osmeña’s Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) camp.

“Ang tinood nga dili na tinood. Wala ako mangilkil sa mga vendors.  Pag-abot sa administration ni Osmeña, nangita sila og kasaligan nila. Mao nga ako’y nagdumala sa Barangay Mayor’s Office sa Basak San Nicolas.  Ila kong giduol, sa tumong ug tuyo nga possibleng naa’y makapanalipod sa ilaha,” he told reporters yesterday.

This issue occurred after Osmeña posted on his Facebook account telling the public that Delute is not a barangay candidate that the BOPK supports.

Osmeña mentioned that Delute was an identified BOPK supporter before but the mayor distanced himself after he received reports that Delute's agenda was reportedly collecting money from the vendors, which is a form of “money making.”

Delute admitted that after he knew that the mayor accused him of wrongdoing, he cried for it was not true, saying his advocacy was to help the poor.

“…Nasagmuyo ko sa iyahang gihimo, wala ko damha nga nakahimo siya nako niana kay siya nasayod sa tinood. Nananghid ko niya nga akong i-organize ang vendors aron makatabang sa akong kandidatora,” he said.

Delute accused Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez, the executive assistant to the mayor, as the person behind who told the mayor the wrong information.

“Si Bimbo Fernandez, mao na’y nagsulti nga nangwarta ko sa mga vendors,” he said.

The FREEMAN tried to get Fernandez’s side but he was not available as of press time.

Miranda Peralta, who was among the vendors from Basak San Nicolas who attended the press conference, told reporters that she was shocked when Delute was linked to the issue, saying it was impossible.

She said Delute was known in their barangay as one who helped the vendors and the underprivileged residents without asking for any compensation.

“Dili uy, buotan kaayo na. Pasalamat mi nga nagkita mi niya.  Naguol mi ato kay mayatakan nasad mi kay i-demolish among lugar.  Maong akong ig-agaw niingon nga patabang mi ni attorney,” Peralta said.

Despite that the accusation thrown at him, Delute said he has no plans to file legal charges against the mayor and will just let the public decide.

He added he respected Osmeña’s decision of disowning him as a candidate supported by BOPK but he will continue to believe the vision of the mayor for the city.

Delute added he has no plans of transferring to any party since it was the residents of Basak San Nicolas who would vote.

“Giisip ko siya nga amahan sa BOPK, giidolo ko siya. Gihangop ko ang iyahang vision sa mga Sugbuanon, maong nikuyog ko sa iyahang politikanhong pagserbisyo sa Sugbo,” Delute said.

In an interview, Osmeña said Delute has the right to present his side but it would not change his mind that he doesn’t want a person who abuses.

In fact, he has no plans to reconsider his decision, saying he can’t tolerate this kind of illegal act.

“Not acceptable, you know I put my foot down. I don’t want abuses from our ranks. Just like the BMO in Apas, when they start to solicit using city hall logo, I changed them,” Osmeña said.

With the upcoming barangay election, he is supporting incumbent barangay councilman Ramiro Tabada who will run for village chief. (FREEMAN)