FB bus post: Tom threatens to sue Councilor Garcia for libel

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is asking Cebu City Councilor Raymond Garcia to issue a public apology or the mayor will sue him for libel.

Osmeña made this threat amid Garcia’s Facebook post accusing the mayor of playing politics in not allowing barangay officials of Busay to use a city-owned bus.

“Tell Raymond Garcia to apologize or else I will sue him for libel. He said I got the bus for the people of Busay, but they cannot use it. The bus was gotten by Rama (former Cebu City Michael Rama), not me. Then it’s beyond repair,” said Osmeña.

On Sunday, Garcia posted on his official Facebook page showing a dilapidated bus parked in a city-owned property.

“Instead of allowing the residents of Barangay Busay to use this bus, the Mayor has chosen to let it rot in a city owned property — all because the Barangay Captain is not politically affiliated with him. What a disservice to the people!” Garcia stated on the caption of the photo he posted on Facebook.

When sought for comment, the councilor said he would only issue a public apology if it would be proven that he had committed any mistake on his post.

“Before I issue a public apology, I really want to find out how true is the post. That post, Busay Barangay Councilor Kevin Sanchez, who told me that there’s a bus. It was running very well but the city government claimed it back, and it was never returned. It was left there to rot in a city-owned property. I want to know, and I will investigate the matter itself,” said Garcia.