Gleissner had reportedly wanted to donate the vehicles to the City during the time of Osmeña in 2009. Bigfoot is a lessee of a two-hectare lot at the SRP.
A LOT has been said about Rep. Tomas Osmeña using the seal of the City of Cebu on two Dodge cars used by his security detail and his arrogant stance in maintaining that he can do whatever he pleases even on his trisikad (though I doubt if he has any) because the cars are gifts to him.
For me though, the real issue has been muddled by the side issues that stems from this utterly selfish act of Osmeña.
The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act of the Philippines (RA 3019) states that:
It is the policy of the Philippine Government, in line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft or corrupt practices or which may lead thereto.
In section 3 therein, the law states that corrupt practices include:
Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law.
Receipt of any gift or present is clearly prohibited by the law. Now, why then did Osmeña, during his previous term as city mayor, accept a gift from Bigfoot founder Michael Gleisner, a client of the City of Cebu for the lease of a lot at the South Road Properties?
Furthermore, the gift-receiving congressman lobbied in Congress for the support of the German Gleisner's grant of Filipino citizenship, thereby allowing him to purchase properties in the Philippines and to engage in business with the same benefits as a local.
The acts of Osmeña are on record, the law is clear, the only thing missing is conviction--the most essential thing.
To stop corruption from permeating our systems, we must make examples of violators, a symbolic hanging of their cut heads. (Arnold C. Tugunon)
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 14, 2012.
READ MORE HERE
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2012/09/14/probe-against-osmena-begins-242740
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=848697&publicationSubCategoryId=107
Editorial: Suing Tommy O
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/opinion/2012/09/12/editorial-suing-tommy-o-242467
That incident proved once more the logic in what 18th century writer, orator and political theorist Edmund Burke admonished. “All that’s necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing,” he had said then.
But what Sipalay did seems to have since then become more of an exception rather than the norm. Osmeña has often gotten away with using strong-arm and oppressive tactics against his opponents simply because nobody stands up to put him in his place. This fear, or indifference, has allowed tyranny to gain headway in the city’s governance.
Mike tells Tomas: Justify city gov’t seal on US Dodge car
http://cebudailynews.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/mike-tells-tomas-justify-city-govt-seal-on-us-dodge-car/
Tags: Philippine Ombudsman. Cebu City Council, Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), Osmena Dodge car, Bigfoot founder Michael Gleisner, congressman, Rep. Tomas Osmeña, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act of the Philippines
http://cebudailynews.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/mike-tells-tomas-justify-city-govt-seal-on-us-dodge-car/
Tags: Philippine Ombudsman. Cebu City Council, Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK), Osmena Dodge car, Bigfoot founder Michael Gleisner, congressman, Rep. Tomas Osmeña, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act of the Philippines
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