Cebu Daily News / News

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/news/view_article.php?article_id=135581

Vidal to Mandaue officials: Unite By Dale G. Israel Cebu Daily News Posted date: May 09, 2008 RENEWED calls for unity in Mandaue City highlighted the fiesta message of Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal yesterday. Although Vidal never mentioned the existing rift between the executive and legislative branches of the Mandaue city government, city officials were quick to respond and said they would give their support to the Cardinal's call. “Magkahiusa unta kita diha ni Cristo ug sa atong simbahan (May we be united in Christ and in our Church),” Vidal told a jam-packed crowd who included city officials, inside the St. Joseph Shrine in Mandaue City. “Si Senyor San Jose usa ka matarung nga tao. Ang matarong nga tao dili magpakaulaw sa isig ka ingon (Senior San Jose is a rightful person. A rightful person will not put others to shame),” the Cardinal said in his homily during the pontifical Mass he celebrated in honor of St. Joseph, the husband of Mary. But as to who would make the first move among the city officials, still remains to be seen. Mayor Jonas Cortes' camp and the opposition-led City Council headed by Vice Mayor Carlo Pontico Fortuna neither gave details on how to start the reconciliation. But Cortes and Fortuna said they were both open for unity and reconciliation. “It is always the services to the people that is affected. I will have no problem with that,” Cortes said of Cardinal's call for unity. Cortes said he believed that his administration marred with conflict from the City Council is a test of his leadership just like a pencil that needs to be sharpened. “What the Cardinal said was something to ponder upon. Even though he did not intend the message for the city officials, that is for all of us to ponder upon,” Cortes said. Fortuna, presiding officer of the City Council, said he was also open for unity and reconciliation with the mayor but the efforts should be sincere. “This (unity) can, however. be achieved if there is mutual respect and understanding and a genuine desire for compromise,” Fortuna said. Cortes said that the Cardinal’s call for unity was timely because the highlight of the fiesta activities was the concelebrated pontifical Mass. During the Mass, Cortes was seated near the altar while Fortuna was with his father near the rear end of the church. The crowd were in festive mood during and after the Mass. The council and the mayor had a series of conflicts since they assumed office in July 2007. The conflicts include the management of the Mandaue City College, the destruction and renovation of the City Plaza, the hiring of program employees and appointed officials, the purchase or rental of police vehicles, among others. Cortes also vetoed several ordinances of the council while measures from the mayor have also been disapproved or overriden by the legislators. Efforts have been made unite both camps including those of the officials themselves a few weeks after assuming office last July 2007. Another reconciliation effort was done by common relatives from both sides but a;; these have failed. Recently, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas stepped into the conflict and asked both officials to appear before the anti-graft body. The series of talks were still ongoing following the filing of complaints against each Ombudsman-Visayas.