Baricuatro hits Soco anew for 'legislative inaction'

Local

CEBU Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has publicly criticized Vice Gov. Glenn Anthony Soco over what she described as legislative inaction that has stalled key provincial programs.

Baricuatro said she had reached a breaking point after several measures remained pending, including guidelines for a local assistance fund (LAF), the distribution component tied to the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT), and a “93-1” measure, which she said had yet to be acted upon.

“There’s a time for being nice, and there’s a time to say enough is enough,” the governor said in a press conference on Wednesday, March 18.

She noted that she had not furnished a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on certain initiatives despite assurances given to other local officials.

She also flagged delays in the release of trust funds intended for programs such as mobile kitchens and mobile clinics, which she said have remained unused since last year.

“It’s getting in the way,” Baricuatro said, referring to the impact of the delays on service delivery.

Despite the criticism, the governor struck a conciliatory tone, saying she remained open to cooperation.

“Good vibes ta, so love-love. Trabaho lang ni atoa (This is about work),” she added, expressing hope that issues could still be resolved through dialogue.

The latest remarks come amid an escalating dispute between Baricuatro and Soco, triggered by disagreements over a proposed tax settlement involving Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC).

Earlier, Baricuatro lashed out at Soco for questioning the proposed compromise deal, which would reduce the firm’s alleged tax liabilities from P1.2 billion to P211 million.

She described the vice governor’s actions as hypocritical and challenged the Provincial Board to publicly scrutinize the matter through livestreamed discussions.

The governor maintained that the settlement was aboveboard, saying lawyers of the cement firm had initiated the proposal and that legal limitations, such as restrictions on collecting extraction fees from privately owned land, factored into the reduced amount.

“As far as I’m concerned, my conscience is clear. There’s no backdoor negotiation,” she said in an earlier briefing.

Baricuatro also cited a similar agreement approved in 2023 under the previous administration, where the province reduced a mining firm’s obligations from about P856 million to P56 million.

For his part, Soco has defended the Provincial Board’s move to review the ALQC proposal, stressing that it was part of its mandate to safeguard public funds.

“We are only performing our functions as provided by law,” he said in a separate press conference.

He rejected accusations of hypocrisy.

Soco emphasized that each tax settlement must be evaluated on its own merits.

He warned that accepting the reduced amount without scrutiny could weaken the province’s position in future collections.

He also raised concerns over the lack of consultation with board members before the proposal was submitted, saying the panel was “never involved” in its initial stages.

“This is not about war. This is about protecting the interests of the Cebuano people,” he said.

Despite the exchange of sharp remarks, Soco said he remains committed to working with the governor as the board conducts hearings on the proposed agreement.

“The board is open-minded about everything,” he said. “We will review it.”(TGP)