CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has reportedly sought the help of House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for an audience with President Rodrigo Duterte.
This was disclosed by opposition councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia at a press conference yesterday, saying the information came from a reliable source.
“This just came to me ha from a reliable source… My sources told me nga the reason behind that nga ang ilang tuyo ni speaker is magpatabang sila og bridge ngadto ni President (Rodrigo) Duterte,” Garcia said.
Last week, Osmeña was the subject of the tongue lashing of Duterte who slammed the mayor for reportedly accusing the president of protecting drug lords.
Duterte also criticized Osmeña who reportedly told the national government to “leave Cebu alone.”
While confirming the visit to Arroyo, Osmeña’s wife, Councilor Margarita Osmeña, did not disclose what was discussed or confirmed it was about seeking audience with the president.
“We saw her. How can you hide something like that, right? Pictures were even taken. We don’t deny what happened,” she said.
“But, I cannot…maybe it’s not my place to say what we talked about. Of course, I will not deny, that’s lying,” she added.
She said, however, that the discussion “was good.”
“Tommy and…(Arroyo)..they’re good friends,” she said.
But Garcia said his sources told him Arroyo had rejected Osmeña’s request to intervene.
“My sources, who were also present there, told me nga GMA (Arroyo) rejected and told them nga ‘I will not interfere with local politics,” Garcia said. —/JMO (FREEMAN)