Osmeña to allow protest rallies during oathtaking

CEBU CITY — Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will allow any group or organization to hold protest rallies during the oathtaking of President Arroyo here on June 30 but on one condition: they should not disrupt the event.

"They will be allowed to voice their objection but I’m not going to allow them to disrupt our historical event," he told reporters.

Not one group has yet signified plans to hold a rally coinciding with Mrs. Arroyo’s oathtaking, but Osmeña said he is willing to sit down and talk to these people about their plans and intentions.

Mrs. Arroyo will take her oath of office as president before Chief Justice Hilario Davide.

Cebu gave her more than a million votes in the recent elections.

Meanwhile, Osmeña said preparations for other activities during the presidential oathtaking are being finalized.

He said the city has allocated P1 million to cover the cost of these activities, some of which would be undertaken by the private sector.

He said there will be a street party, with live music from local artists, and an open grill food fiesta in the evening from Fuente Osmeña to P. Del Rosario street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Osmeña said the city will issue 30,000 tickets, each of which can be redeemed for two barbecues, two pieces of puso (rice cooked in woven coconut leaves shaped like a heart) and a bottle of softdrink.

Half of these tickets will be distributed to the councilors and the rest to the 550 urban poor groups that the city has recognized as having supported the Arroyo administration in the recent elections.

There will also be a VIP area at the Metrobank parking lot for out-of-town guests, including newly elected senators and mediamen from Manila, he said.

However, Osmeña warns the public to be wary of pickpockets and snatchers during the party although tanods and policemen will be detailed in the area.

The regional police command has placed this city under red alert as part of preparations for Mrs. Arroyo’s oathtaking on June 30.

During a meeting the other day, regional police director Rolando Garcia ordered police officials to cancel all leaves of their men.

He said over 300 local and foreign dignitaries will be arriving here for the oathtaking rites.

Some representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, led by Ambassador Marciano Paynor, are reportedly in town to check the preparations. — Freeman News Service