wo bitter enemies finally faced each other in a confrontation that has its roots to charges of land deals and politics involving the Bohol Wisdom School. Although the roots of their conflict was only mentioned in passing, the faceoff of City Councilor Alexander Lim and businessman Mario Uy attracted so much attention in the gallery of the Sangguniang Panlungsod when the two met during the SP session last Thursday. It was Councilor Lim’s privilege speech that triggered for Uy’s appearance in the SP after the lawmaker questioned the existence of Uy’s Botika sa Katawhan. Lim also called for the abolition of Uy’s designation as deputy mayor. On the ‘botika’ issue, Lim condemned the “scare tactics” being peddled by Uy who claims that he will shut down the Botika sa Katawhan, a project established to provide free medicines to indigent city residents.

On several radio interviews, Uy declared that he may be forced to stop the operation of the Botika sa Katawhan due to Councilor Lim’s “attacks” against his appointment as deputy mayor and his management of the Botika. But Lim, who thrust the designated deputy mayor into a fierce public debate via a lashing privilege speech during the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) session last week, said Uy is resorting to “outrageous lies” in an attempt to defend himself and turn a political backlash against those who question him and the Botika. “Instead of coming out with clear explanations regarding his management of the Botika, Uy is trying to manipulate public sympathy by his emotional theatrics,” said Lim, apparently alluding to the deputy mayor’s appearance during the SP inquiry on Thursday where the latter shed tears as he read his opening statement to the members of the city council.

The SP inquiry was cut short as tension flew between Lim and Uy. The heated exchanges started when the lawmaker began questioning the fund allocations made by the city government for the Botika sa Katawhan. Uy denied receiving the annual appropriation of P1-million from the city since the Botika was established in 2006. Earlier the two argued over the jurisdiction of the SP on Uy’s designation as deputy mayor and the lack of transparency in the operation of the Botika. Councilor Lim however clarified that the questions he raised were valid and that he is only exercising the oversight functions of the city legislature. “I never questioned the existence of the Botika sa Katawhan, I only want it to continue providing free medicines to bonafide indigents. What is wrong with our desire to make public service more transparent and responsive to our people?” Lim asked adding that, “No city councilor in his right mind would question the creation of the Botika sa Katawhan. Our intention is to preserve the integrity of this project.”

According to Lim, City Ordinance C-193, the measure creating the Botika sa Katawhan, clearly states that the Botika is a joint partnership with the private sector and the city government. This is contrary to claims made by Uy that the project will cease to exist whenever he wants to close it down. “The Botika sa Katawhan will continue to exist even without Mario Uy. He does not own the Botika and it was not created for him but for the thousands of poor city residents who need free medicines,” Lim explained. On Monday, Lim sought the assistance of City Mayor John Geesnell Yap II for the Botika administrator to produce a number of documents and records including fund releases to the project, list of beneficiaries, accounting of private donations and proceeds from the Sandugo Trade Fair which Uy claims to have benefitted the Botika. “The public should not be misled by Uy’s public pronouncements that he can shut down the Botika sa Katawhan because it will remain in operation by virtue of a city ordinance and the yearly fund allocation provided by the city government to sustain its operation,” the lawmaker said. Lim added that “some people who want to keep their vested interest intact will try to scare the poor and helpless.”

The SP inquiry was supposed to probe Uy’s designation as deputy mayor, that was carried over from the previous city administration. Lawmakers likewise wanted Uy to shed light on allegations that the Botika is being used for political ends during the past administration. Revenues from the Sandugo Trade Fair, that has been under the management of Uy since the previous administration, was also an associated issue. But since Lim’s privilege speech, the deputy mayor have made claims on radio interviews that the SP or any city councilor, has no right to question his designation as deputy mayor, likewise the operation of the Botika and the Sandugo Trade Fair. “What is more scary than the scare tactics employed by Uy is that we, despite our knowledge that there are anomalies and irregularities out there, continue to do nothing about it,” the lawmaker added. Lim said the intent of his privilege speech and the resulting legislative inquiry is to find out whether the beneficiaries of the Botika are really qualified as determined under City Ordinance C-193; whether the Botika administrator complied with financial reporting requirements that should have been submitted on a quarterly basis to the Sanggunian and the Office of the City Mayor.

“What is the use of enacting an ordinance if we cannot implement it fully? From what we have learned, Mr. Uy has not only deviated from the provisions of the Ordinance creating the Botika sa Katawhan, he is treating the project as if it was his own,” Lim stressed. Lim reiterated that creating the position of deputy mayor is not only confusing but also illegal. “The City and the City Government has practically no control on whatever mis-representations he (Uy) is involved in, using the designation deputy mayor, on behalf of the city,” Lim explained. During the SP session Uy could not present a copy of any appointment papers from either the former mayor Dan Lim or the present city chief executive. Regarding Uy’s claim that he is not soliciting medicines or money, Lim said that it is clear that Uy have failed to carry out his responsibility as Botika Administrator. City Ordinance No. C-193 specifically mandates that the administrative body of the Botika should encourage more donations and private sector participation. “Is it not a failure on his part to make the project work by embracing all forms of help being offered by other private sector groups and the city government? Proof of his failure to handle the Botika project, as mandated by City Ordinance C-193, is the closure of the Botika on several occasions,” the lawmaker pointed out. The lawmaker vowed for a closure to the SP inquiry even as he awaits a pronouncement from City Mayor Yap regarding the alleged re-appointment of Uy as deputy mayor.