Tomas Osmeña Archives - MyCebu.ph: Cebu News & Features

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Capitalizing on innovation as the key to digitization, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is eyeing an alternative to renewing business permits in the city. Osmeña spoke before an audience at…

Capitalizing on innovation as the key to digitization, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is eyeing an alternative to renewing business permits in the city.

Osmeña spoke before an audience at Digitize Cebu held Wednesday at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

“It takes two weeks to renew business permit. I gathered a team of experts to study how to renew business permit. Then they told me now it will be 20 minutes. How? They (business owner) don’t need to fill out form. All they have to do is just confirm the information. But what happened since that time? You run around the city to get all the clearances. This must be solved,” said Osmeña.

Problem with government

He admitted having problems with the government because “we are not allowed to innovate”.

“There’s one missing pillar and that’s innovation. Politics has developed a culture of status quo,” said Osmeña. “Digitization is not necessary. The keyword here is innovation.”

INNOVATION. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said they are tapping innovation to improve services at City Hall. He said the challenge with working in government is that “we are not allowed to innovate.”

The mayor shared a story of a logistics company that uses index cards for their operations.

“No computer, just index cards. If you have a question, you write at the index card. The company will write its answer at the back of the index card. And if more than one index card, the company thinks you’re talking so much. You see it’s not computerization but again innovation,” said Osmeña.

Pay taxes

Osmeña pointed out that the City Government will run after businesses not paying taxes.

He further said the role of the Treasurer’s Office is to bring in money. “We can’t bring in money because the sari-sari store cannot secure an SSS clearance.”

Saying that Cebu is trying to innovate, Osmeña said they are looking at issuing certificate that shows the business owner paid taxes.

“If you pay tax, we will do beautiful things for Cebu,” he added.

Digitize Cebu was presented by AdSpark, a Globe-owned digital advertising company, in collaboration with Globe myBusiness and the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu.

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News

President Duterte names former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama a drug protector

MyCebu

August 7, 2016 3:21 am August 7, 2016

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President Rodrigo Duterte earlier today named former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama as one of the country’s drug protectors, along with several judges, politicians, and police officials. Duterte read the…

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier today named former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama as one of the country’s drug protectors, along with several judges, politicians, and police officials.

Duterte read the names during the wake in Davao City of soldiers killed in an encounter with the New People’s Army.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Rama said he will fully cooperate with authorities to clear his name.

“The news that my name was mentioned by President Duterte is saddening. Even how untrue this accusation is, should this be the way and the necessary step to win the war against drugs, I will fully cooperate with the authorities to immediately clear my name. My unwavering support for President Duterte’s campaign will continue. My family and I have always been law-abiding citizens and have been very clear about our stand against drugs. May justice prevail and the truth set us free. God bless Cebu and God bless the Philippines,” Rama said in his post.

Duterte also named Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog as a drug protector along with former Marawi City mayor Omar Solitario Ali, whom he described as a personal friend.

MIKE RAMA. The former mayor was linked to drugs by President Duterte. (Photo taken from Mike Rama’s Facebook page)

“Magkaibigan tayo,” Duterte said, but “either I read all or I read none. Trabaho ko ito.” He said the list came from the military and police and he had it validated and re-validated, especially after reading the names of mayors that he knew.

“You are working for the government and you allowed yourself to be used,” Duterte said in his speech that lasted into the early hours of today. “You destroyed the country. There are now 600,000 Filipinos who are addicts – pushers and users. That is treason.”

He again named Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot, a retired police general, as well as former Cebu City police intelligence branch head Supt. Romeo Santander as among the protectors.

Duterte said that police officials whom he named are relieved of their assignments and ordered to report to PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa within 24 hours or else he will ask the “entire armed forces to hunt you.”

He also ordered police and military assigned to the mayors he named relieve of duty and to report to their mother unit. Otherwise, he said, “I will whack you. I will dismiss you from service.”

Duterte said the drugs problem worsened to its current magnitude because government officials were into it.

After the announcement, Rama’s political rival and incumbent Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña posted on Facebook, “And guess who he named? And Team Rama’s social media trolls kept trying to make it look like I was the drug protector?”

Here’s the PTV video of the President’s speech.

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3 min read

Business News

Joel Mari Yu back in Cebu City Hall as business advisor; tasked to grow BPO sector

Marlen Limpag

May 31, 2016 9:24 pm May 31, 2016

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3 min read

Former Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) chief Joel Mari Yu is joining the administration of incoming Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña as business advisor and one of his major tasks…

Former Cebu Investment Promotions Center (CIPC) chief Joel Mari Yu is joining the administration of incoming Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña as business advisor and one of his major tasks will be to grow the outsourcing industry.

Yu said he has been entrusted with making sure that the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector realize its full potential through whatever ways and means.

During his term as CIPC head, Yu said he was able to contribute to the growth of the IT-BPO sector from the investment side. In collaboration with the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (Cedf-IT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), CIPC helped bring in outsourcing companies to Cebu.

Increase number of workers

This time, Yu said he will be focusing on increasing the number of industry workers.

“There had been no actual count since CIPC closed but the estimate is there are about 135,000 workers in Cebu’s outsourcing sector. Our target is to break that to 200,000 in the next three years,” he told a press conference on the Cebu leg of DTI’s Slingshot Philippines program (see separate story).

JOEL MARI YU. The former Cebu Investment Promotions Center head is back as business advisor of incoming Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña. Yu is shown above with Ravi Agarwal (right) of The Tide co-working space during the press conference for the upcoming Slingshot event in Cebu (see separate story). (Photo: MyCebu.ph)

Yu said the City Government will look at factors that make people shy away from the industry, including such issues as transport, security, and housing.

According to him, one way of helping workers in the sector will be to inventory boarding spaces in areas where BPO companies operate and come up with a standard rate. Another is to coordinate with IT Parks and long-time BPO locators to come up with a shuttle schedule for employees who keep late hours.

Point man for business, promotions

Mayor-elect Osmeña would also like to address security issues like robbery and mugging faced by BPO workers, he added.

“I’m coming back as his (Osmeña’s) point man for business, economic development, and investment promotions,” he said, citing this involves anything related to bringing in investments and making the economy grow.

Reviving CIPC is possible but he wouldn’t be able to run it because he has already signed up for other things, he added. He cites his consultancy job with the DTI Cebu Provincial Office, which has been ongoing for two years now. He said that helping the Cebu economy through DTI is a much better proposition because the agency, unlike CIPC, can’t be closed.

Politics

“With the years of accomplishment at CIPC, I thought we were insulated from politics. Mike Rama proved me wrong,” he said.

The CIPC stopped operations in 2013, after Rama decided not to fund it.

Yu said he will, at the minimum, have a desk and secretary in City Hall, unlike the full office staff he used to have with CIPC. Still, he said, this will be good for businesses and business promotions because he will be working directly from the mayor’s office.

Yu said several investors immediately contacted him after hearing of Osmeña’s election as mayor to express interest in putting in money in the city.

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4 min read

News

Cebu News Digest for March 28, 2016: Ombudsman files raps vs. Osmena; Palma urges politicos to be humble; Tom O learns lesson from 2013 defeat

MyCebu

March 28, 2016 8:32 am March 28, 2016

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4 min read

This is the roundup of stories that came out in local publications today, March 28, 2016. Tomas Osmeña faces criminal, admin raps FORMER Cebu City mayor Tom Osmeña is facing…

This is the roundup of stories that came out in local publications today, March 28, 2016.

Tomas Osmeña faces criminal, admin raps

FORMER Cebu City mayor Tom Osmeña is facing criminal and administrative charges for receiving two Chrysler Dodge Charger cars from Bigfoot studios in 2009. The Visayas Ombudsman charged Osmeña for violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and Presidential Decree No. 46, which bars the solicitation or acceptance of any gift or favor.

Tomas Osmeña during the BOPK proclamation rally. (Photo taken from the official Tommy Osmena FB page)

Osmena’s political foe, Mike Rama, filed the complaint three years ago and the Ombudsman completed the fact-finding investigation last Nov. 19, 0215 but informed Rama of their decision only last March 23.

This case is not for political purposes. We are just protecting the interest of the city.

– Atty. Jade Ponce, consultant of Mike Rama.

Read: Cebu Daily News: Ombudsman charges Tom O over Dodge cars.

Palma urges politicians to be humble

Cebu Archibishop Jose Palma told Politicians in his Easter message to be humble and reminded voters to reject candidates who use illegal means to gain office.

One mistake can mean years of suffering. For voters, this is an occasion to show that power comes from the people and choosing the right people will bring progress to our nation.

– Archbishop Jose Palma.

Read: Sun.Star Cebu: Palma urges voters to reject crooked politicos

The Freeman: Palma tells politicos to be humble.

Tom O learns lesson from 2013 defeat

Mayoralty candidate Tomas Osmeña said campaigning for Liberal Party presidential bet Mar Roxas will be second priority for him, a lesson he learned when he lost to Mike Rama in 2013 by 6,000 votes. Osmeña said BOPK is now focused on grassroots campaigning to make sure he wins in his second head-to-head with Rama.

My priority is me. I already learned my lesson from the last election. I organized campaigns for other candidates including Junjun Davide but I lost. Enough of that already. Last time, I made sure that everybody wins except myself.

– Former mayor Tom Osmeña.

Read: Cebu Daily News: Osmena changes tactics for 2016 polls.

Mactan bridge repair resumes on April 2; business officials ask authorities to manage traffic

Bridge rehabilitation work will resume on April 2 and business leaders are asking authorities to step up traffic coordinating and monitoring to minimize the inconvenience to commuters.

“There has to be proper monitoring of traffic at the foot of both ends of the bridges, the intersections affected, so that there will be less traffic congestion.”
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Melanie Ng.

“I am always surprised at how amateurish these so-called planners are and cannot understand why real traffic consultants are never hired as part of the pre-project planning.”
Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph, who warned of a snowball effect on Metro Cebu traffic unless the closure and repairs are properly managed.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said only one lane of the old Mandaue-Mactan bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

READ:

Sun.Star Cebu: Officials urged to manage traffic as repair of Mactan bridge resumes April 2

Other Cebu news

» Sun.Star Cebu: Rama cites poor quality, urges City Hall to stop buying China-made equipment

» Sun.Star Cebu: City Hall asks Comelec for go-signal to suspend Rama critic Vic Buendia

» Sun.Star Cebu: Teen, six-year-old drown during Holy Week celebration

» The Freeman: Quisumbing tops survey in Mandaue City

» The Freeman: Toledo City vice mayor says 30 of 38 barangay captains back Garcia-Ruiz tandem

» Cebu Daily News: Comelec says filing of cases vs. officials not under election ban

» Cebu Daily News: Barili mayor faces nepotism charges for brother’s appointment

Cebu Business News

» Sun.Star Cebu: Mactan earning benefits of Public-Private Partnership

» Sun.Star Cebu: Rep. Roman Romulo urges national government to share income from ports with LGUS

» Sun.Star Cebu: Malls question need to put up own clinics, medical teams

» The Freeman: DTI sees surge in electronics exports

» The Freeman: Group urges organic farmers to target global market

» Cebu Daily News: MCIA to push for more direct international flights in next two years

» Cebu Daily News: Japanese students start rice ball business

Cebu Sports News

» Sun.Star Cebu: Two Cebuano bowlers to train in Manila for world youth stint.

» The Freeman: PHL top scrabble players compete in Robinsons tournament

» Cebu Daily News: Cebu Country Club alumn eyes defense of ICTSI Luisita crown

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4 min read

News

Cebu News Roundup for Feb. 23, 2016: Rama declines challenge to debate with Tomas; Cebu hosts next presidential debate; Garcia mulls charges vs. Davide

MyCebu

February 23, 2016 8:21 am February 23, 2016

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4 min read

This is the roundup of top news stories today, Feb. 23, 2016. Rama turns down Tomas’ debate challenge. SHORT of declaring himself a sure winner, Cebu City mayor Mike Rama…

This is the roundup of top news stories today, Feb. 23, 2016.

WHY SHOULD I? Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama says there’s no need for a debate between him and Tomas Osmena.

Rama turns down Tomas’ debate challenge.

SHORT of declaring himself a sure winner, Cebu City mayor Mike Rama says there’s no need for him to engage in a debate with rival Tomas Osmena, saying a debate is usually for presidential bets only.

“Don’t equate me with presidential (candidates) because in the presidential (elections), all of them are candidates for president. They have not become president. Me, I have become a mayor and this is my second term as a mayor. So, therefore dili ma pareha,” Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama

“I hope this happens, although I am doubtful. I am willing to go to any debate on five minutes’ notice. No notes, no preparation required. No questions are off limits. Full transparency.” former mayor Tomas Osmeña in a Facebook post.

READ:

UP Cebu to use different format in second presidential debate

Cebu City will host the next presidential debate on March 20 at the University of the Philippines Cebu and organizers promised a new format.

Organizers will also hold a voters’ education campaign at 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. before the debate, which will start at 5 p.m. Only 300 people will be allowed inside the Performance Arts Hall of UP Cebu but the area outside the venue can accomodate up to 1,500.

“It would be different here. Even the topics given by the Comelec are different, which will include Climate Change, education, women’s rights, and health, among others, are different from that in Cagayan de Oro City.” UP Cebu Dean Liza Corro.

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Winston eyes graft charges vs. Davide, Magpale

ONE Cebu gubernatorial candidate Winston Garcia is planning to file charges against Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale for the alleged misuse of the Typhoon Yolanda funds. Garcia said the donation and relief goods were used for politicking as these were distributed in unaffected areas.

Davide denied the charges.

“Why should you listen to that Garcia? All he does is bark and bluff.” Gov. Hilario Davide III.

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Other Cebu news:

Sun.Star Cebu: 150 families lose home in Mandaue blaze

Sun.Star Cebu: Slain suspect’s kin accuses cops of shooting Oyao in cold blood

Sun.Star Cebu: CICC too unstable to be used as satellite check-in for MCIA

Sun.Star Cebu: Judge allows residents to re-build in UP lot

Freeman: Rama wants better coordination in demolitions

Cebu Daily News: PNP honors slain intelligence officer

Cebu Daily News: Capitol to grant retroactive increase to workers

Cebu Daily News: Ouano family dispel rumors on patriarch’s death, asks for prayers

Cebu Daily News: Sen. Trillanes vow to stop drug menace in Cebu in just six months

Cebu Business News.

Sun.Star Cebu: Business leaders want issues, not mud-slinging, in next presidential debate

The Freeman: Slow process derails world bank-funded rural development projects

The Freeman: Exporters urged to maintain online presence to retain competitive edge

Cebu Daily News: New group in Cebu hopes to fund local startups

Cebu Daily News: SM Prime Holdings reports 54 percent growth in 2015

Cebu Sports News

Sun.Star Cebu: Motor Ace Philippines puts up pro team to help athletes with potential

The Freeman: ERCO wins third straight men’s open crown in Thirsty Cup

Sun.Star Cebu: Undefeated Tepora hopes to break into world rankings

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1 min read

Politics

Mary Ann Delos Santos joins BOPK

MyCebu

August 21, 2015 3:27 pm August 21, 2015

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Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos has joined the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) of former mayor Tomas Osmeña. Delos Santos, Osmeña and the other BOPK officials held the announcement this morning at the Lahug Barangay Hall, where she served as barangay chief for years.

Delos Santos, who was elected councilor under the slate of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, resigned as minority floor leader of the BOPK-dominated city council last Monday, citing “bullying” and betrayal by Team Rama colleagues.

NOW OKAY. Erstwhile political enemies Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos and former mayor Tomas Osmeña are now allies. The image above adorned the Lahug Barangay Hall.

Delos Santos had disagreements with Team Rama on certain policy issues. Most recently, she voted with BOPK to suspend the sale of a 45.3-hectare lot at the South Road Properties.

“Yes, we’ve had our differences, but only in our methods, not in our goals. The administration just got 8 billion pesos, yet you still chose to leave,” Osmeña said in his official Facebook page today. “They offered you the vice-mayorship, but you refuse to be bought. Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos, welcome home to your family here at BOPK!”

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6 min read

News

Tomas accuses Mayor Rama of bankrupting Cebu City; De los Reyes claims Rep. Gullas influencing students to enlist as Talisay voters: Cebu News Digest July 6, 2015

Max Limpag

July 6, 2015 2:13 am July 6, 2015

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6 min read

Politics is heating up in Cebu with elections less than a year away. In today’s news, former mayor Tomas Osmeña accused Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama of wasting government funds…

Politics is heating up in Cebu with elections less than a year away. In today’s news, former mayor Tomas Osmeña accused Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama of wasting government funds while Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes claimed 1st District Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas asked students of the University of Visayas, which his family owns, to register in Talisay City. He described it as “hakot” or busing potential voters.

Here are the top stories in Cebu today, July 6, 2015

Mayor Rama wasting government funds, says Tomas

Former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña took to his Facebook page yesterday to criticize erstwhile ally and political rival Mayor Michael Rama as having wasted government funds and causing the city to lose potential revenues by selling outright SRP lots.

SOUTH ROAD PROPERTIES. An aerial shot of the SRP that former mayor Tomas Osmeña posted along with his criticism of how Mayor Michael Rama has handled the project and the city’s finances. (Photo taken from Osmeña’s Facebook page)

Osmeña, who conceptualized the SRP project, said that when he stepped down, he left behind P2.4 billion in City Hall.

“Apan unsa may gihimo ni Rama? Wa magdugay, gihurot niya ang pundo nga akong gibilin. Diin man padung ang kwarta? Bisan giunsa pagpugong sa mga konsehal aron dili mausik ang pundo, gigasto niya ang dakung bahin niini sa daghang mga dili-importanteng butang.” — former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in his Facebook post. (What did Rama do? He spent everything. Where did the money go? No matter how much the councilors tried to stop him from wasting funds, Rama spend a huge part of the money on unimportant things.)

“Sa pagbaligya sa SRP, parehas ra’g giputol-putol ni Rama ang punoan sa mangga nga atong gitanom. Karon hinoong tuiga ug sa mosunod nga 2 ka tuig, duna pa siya’y mapaabot nga halin sa SRP. Apan mag-unsa naman pod siya inig kahurot ini? Mamaligya nasab og yuta sa SRP hangtod wa nay mahabilin ini alang sa atong kaugmaon?” — Tomas Osmeña (In selling the SRP lots, Rama is liking cutting off the mango trees we planted. This year and in the next 2 years, he still has revenues coming from the sale of the SRP lots. But what can we do when these are spent? Do we sell more SRP lots until none are left?

Tomas Osmeña’s Facebook post
The Freeman: Tomas: Rama wasting funds

Talisay mayor accuses congressman Gullas of influencing UV students to sign up as Talisay voters

Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes has accused 1st District Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas of influencing students of the University of the Visayas, which is owned by the Gullas family, to sign up as Talisay voters.

De los Reyes, told Sun.Star Cebu, that they were surprised by the groups of students signing up at the City Election Office. He said that many of the students could not identify their barangays. He described this as “hakot” or busing in voters.

Gullas denied the allegation, which he described as offensive, and said the students merely sought his office’s help. Gullas manages UV’s basketball team and serves as assistant vice president for finance and administration.

“We have legal procedures to follow if he feels he has been offended by some UV students who would want to exercise their right of suffrage. To me, to forestall, at the least, or deny these students their political rights is offensive, if not irrational.” — Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas as quoted, by Sun.Star Cebu.

Sun.Star Cebu: Mayor complains about ‘hakot’

Weekend road accidents kill 4 persons, injure 5 in Cebu

Four people were killed in separate road accidents over the weekend in Toledo City and Argao and Dumanjug towns. A merchandise delivery truck fell into a river in Poog, Toledo City at past 11 a.m. Sunday, killing driver Oscar Layson and assistant Reymart Cañeza. The traffic investigator said the van’s brakes might have malfunctioned when Layson was traversing a curve.

@cebudailynews @sunstarcebu 2 feared dead in another truck accident at Naga-Toledo Highway (Brgy. Poog) pic.twitter.com/SYVkHoH5mY

— Justine B. (@stabsgefreiter) July 5, 2015

Sun.Star Cebu: Weekend road mishaps kill 4 people, hurt 5
The Freeman: 4 dead, 5 injured in road mishaps
Cebu Daily News: Truck falls off road in Toledo City, two killed

Tragic homecoming in Pilar as survivors, dead arrive

Survivors of the Kim Nirvana-B sinking returned yesterday to Pilar, Camotes, their intended destination when the boat sank in bad weather on July 2. Coffins containing 45 bodies in white caskets were brought to the town by the BRP Batangas of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Baltazar Tribunalo Jr. told Sun.Star Cebu that 36 of the caskets remained in Pilar while 7 were taken to Tudela and one each to Poro and San Francisco.

TRAGIC HOMECOMING. Workers bring to port one of the 45 caskets containing bodies of those who perished in the sinking last July 2. (Photo by Ryan Sorote of AksyonBisaya TV5)

The death toll in the accident is now at 61, with the retrieval Saturday night of 2 more bodies.

Sun.Star Cebu: In Pilar, a tragic homecoming
The Freeman: 45 sea tragedy victims ferried home
Cebu Daily News: Emotional reunion for survivors, families at Pilar, Camotes

Other Cebu headlines:

» 3 Korean divers missing

Three Koreans were reported missing yesterday while diving in Mactan Island. The divers were identified as instructor Baek Seung Kyoon, 34, Heo Seung Yung, 45, and Kim Eun, 31. Rescuers had to stop operations at 6 p.m. because of the bad weather, Cebu Daily News reported.
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