"Inaction" widens Baricuatro-Soco rift

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro admitted that her relationship with Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco has gone sour not only because of the controversial tax compromise deal with Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC) but largely due to alleged inaction in key legislative measures that have affected provincial programs and services.

- Jonnavie Villa and Hannah Gresha Abayon, UP intern/FPL

“Enough is enough,” Baricuatro told Capitol reporters.

The governor said at least three important measures have been stalled, impacting the delivery of services. These include guidelines for the Legislative Assistance Fund (LAF), the province's position on the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) before the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), and the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the proposed 93-1 land deal.

"There's a time to be a nice person and there's a time to say enough is enough... I really had enough," she said.

Baricuatro stressed that the delays are already affecting the implementation of programs funded through the provincial government's trust funds.

“Kung dili ni ma-release na mga funds, dili ko ka go into action, di mi katrabaho, ma-delayed ang tabang sa katawhan. So I'm not really doing it for myself, I'm doing it for the people,” she emphasized.

She said allocations for mobile kitchens, mobile clinics, and disaster response initiatives have been affected, with some funds remaining unreleased since last year.

“It's getting in the way of my program,” she said.

The governor underscored that the issue goes beyond personal differences, noting that the delays ultimately affect the public.