Osmeña: Evicting residents is disgusting

Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña speaks at the court. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña expressed disgust over plans of Mayor Michael Rama to evict residents inside cemetery to pave way for a public park.

During the court hearing, Osmeña told Judge Alexander Acosta of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 to stop the demolition on Monday, july 27.

His lawyer Benjamin Militar pleaded to the court to let Osmeña speak to clarify some matters.

Judge Acosta initially denied the request but eventually allowed the former mayor to speak in open court on the condition that Osmeña’s statements will be “off the record” and “not part of the proceedings” since Rama’s counsel was absent during the hearing.

Last Monday, Acosta dismissed the civil case filed by Osmeña against Rama after Osmeña’s camp failed to comply with an essential requirement in filing a petition for prohibition.

READ: Court rejects Osmeña petition to stop cemetery closure | Council calls for stay in demolition at cemetery

Osmeña’s lawyer requested the court to reconsider its ruling and to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to stop the looming demolition of informal structures built inside Doña Pepang Cemetery on Monday.

The court set a hearing at 8:30 a.m. Monday to determine whether or not it will stop the Cebu City government from destroying the illegal structures inside the cemetery.

Wearing black armbands, around 50 people residing inside the Doña Pepang Cemetery attended the court hearing yesterday morning.

“We don’t treat people like animals. The laws are supposed to serve men; not the other way around. Something is not right here. People put their loved ones there, and you would demolish them because you intend to put a concert place (amphitheater). It doesn’t make sense. It’s disgusting,” he added.