Lito O denies hand in megadome project

CEBU — Former governor Emilio Osmeña has denied having a hand in the proposed construction of the multimillion-peso megadome in Mandaue City.

Admitting that the construction of the megadome is unstoppable, Osmeña said he cannot be associated with it because he is not connected in any capacity with the provincial government.

He fears that people might think that his party, Probinsiya Muna Development Initiative (Promdi), had a hand in planning the project.

Gov. Pablo Garcia said Osmeña has nothing to disown because the people know the megadome is not his project.

Osmeña, however, warned Garcia that the megadome would become a symbol of the failure of his administration if he pursues it despite strong opposition from the public.

"Mark my words. Kana naang white elephant would become a monument of stupidity. That would be a symbol of the failure of his administration," Osmeña said.

He said Garcia is repeating the mistake of his predecessor, Vicente de la Cerna, who built the Sugbo Cultural Center at the University of the Philippines campus, which until now is unfinished.

He said the money Garcia would use for the project is the interest on the property he invested in the Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp.

Osmeña said the megadome controversy would surely become an election issue in 2004. — Freeman News Service