Not just mathematics gone askew

If it be true that the reported current market value of the 5.04 hectares of Cebu provincial lots is P3.15B, for swapping with Cebu City's 3.37 hectares at the north reclaimed area valued at P415.3M, what then is VM Michael Rama's reason to complain?

Cebu Province parts with the P3.15 billion real estate of prime location, for the Cebu City NRA lot also of prime location of only P415.3M. Simple mathematics gives a whopping difference of over P2.734 billion with Cebu Province at the losing end. So what was Vice Mayor Rama's beef - and the City Council's, as intimated - in saying that Cebu Province "igo ra unya sila modawat ug limpyo"?

In fairness to Rama and his colleagues, they perhaps don't agree to the assessed market values of the lots to be swapped. Or, they foresee that in the future, there could be a whale of difference in value of the Cebu Province up-town real estate against Cebu City NRA lot right in the heart of future commercial and industrial developments, especially in shipping and maritime trade.

Or, another perhaps, what bothers the City Council may be the projection that only P183.1M is collectible as maximum amount from the present occupants of the provincial property sought to be swapped; whereas, should Cebu City's 3.37 hectares of reclaimed area be sold now, it could easily generate much, much more than P183.1 million.

And so, for fear of graft and corruption for entering into a land swapping deal, as probably grossly disadvantageous to the City, Rama and company preferred not to throw caution into the winds without in-depth deliberations.

Moreover, Rama and Co. may not want to be pilloried, as mere rubber stamp of Mayor Tomas Osmeña. Otherwise said, they don't want to be accused of just toeing to hizzoner's biddings, knowing that the land-swapping scheme has been Osmeña's initiative, not of Cebu Province.

In this light it's very plausible that at the back of VM Rama's mind might be the public perception that what Tommy says goes, vis-a-vis the City Council. And, such perception may not be off-tangent at all. Whatever it be, in this particular case, Mayor Osmeña appears to be right in feeling irritated over the Council's apparent dilly-dallying.

The ultimate factor is the human resources involved - the Cebu City residents occupying the Cebu Province lots. The latter has to file cases for eviction and, it takes time, effort, and expenses. Cebu City as the LGU concerned over the displaced occupants has to provide relocation sites and/or money grants if no relocation could be provided.

Striking the land-swap is to the mutual convenience of both LGUs. And, of course, to the affected occupants who are residents and voters of Cebu City.

Meantime, hurt feelings and bruised pride have already been inflicted that need to be appeased and repaired.

For putting both his feet into his mouth, Mike Rama has already apologized via media. Whether or not his mea culpa, impersonally and indirectly made to the hurting Lady Governor and PB members, would suffice to smoothen the already ruffled feathers, is for Mike to assess, gentleman as he is. It may not just be a flawed mathematical computation that is at issue, but one of good manners and right conduct, with eating a humbling pie as dessert thrown in.

Surely, gracious Gov. Gwen won't be impishly sadistic as to ape Nick Joaquin's woman protagonist in "Summer Solstice" to cheapen Mike Rama, by letting him crawl, or even walk on bended knees, from the City Hall to the Capitol, and there kiss her unshod feet in utter subjugation, just to spite him.