Lambasted by Osmeña, Archival defends WPS event absence

Local

HOURS after Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña questioned his absence from Cebu City's West Philippine Sea commemoration, Mayor Nestor Archival responded that public service "is not measured by being present in one event alone.”

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Archival defended his decision to be in Manila, saying the trip was focused on securing programs and partnerships that would benefit Cebu City.

"Public service is not measured by being present in one event alone, but by ensuring that every opportunity to secure programs, partnerships, and resources for our city is pursued," the mayor said.

While Archival did not directly mention Osmeña or address the vice mayor's remarks, the statement came after Osmeña publicly questioned the mayor's absence during Monday's flag-raising ceremony commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the West Philippine Sea.

Archival said he attended two meetings in Manila that he described as important to the city's development agenda.

The mayor said he first met with the leadership of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines to strengthen the city's partnership in developing Cebuano youth.

He also met with Department of Budget and Management Secretary Kim de Leon to follow up Cebu City's request for assistance under the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), which he said would help finance priority infrastructure projects.

"My commitment remains the same: to work tirelessly and always put the interests of Cebu City first," Archival said.

Earlier, Osmeña criticized Archival's cautious stance amid the diplomatic row sparked by the Chinese Consulate General in Cebu's protest against the City Council's declaration of July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day.

"I'm very proud of the City Council. Unfortunately, our mayor's playing it safe. Doesn't like to be here. Doesn't like to be identified," Osmeña told reporters.

"I'm not that kind. I take a stand. We have to protect our own, and we have to be very careful that opportunities are not being exploited to take advantage of our tolerance. So I'm not tolerating anything," he added.

Osmeña also said his office has long maintained a policy of ignoring communications from the Chinese Consulate, recalling that during his previous term as mayor he discarded letters warning him against attending Taiwan's National Day celebration.

The exchange came as Cebu City remained at the center of a diplomatic dispute following the City Council's approval of a resolution declaring July 12 as West Philippine Sea Victory Day and urging Congress to institutionalize the observance nationwide.

The Chinese Consulate General in Cebu protested the resolution, reiterating Beijing's position that the 2016 arbitral ruling is "illegal, null and void."

The issue drew national attention on Monday when Defense Secretary Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. attended the City Hall ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the landmark ruling.

Teodoro praised Cebu City officials for standing by the resolution despite the diplomatic protest.

"It is very heartwarming that Cebu stood up in the face of a direct provocation by foreign officials here. And they stood their ground. That is admirable and praiseworthy," the Defense chief said.

Previously, Archival said he wanted to first review the diplomatic note from the Chinese Consulate and the City Council resolution before commenting on the controversy.

"For now, what I will do is look into these documents that have reached my office," Archival earlier told reporters. "At the moment, I cannot comment until I see the substance of the resolution."

He also emphasized that his administration wanted to maintain cordial relations with all countries.

"But for me, we'd like to maintain a good relationship with everybody," the mayor said.(TGP)