Capitol Wants to Settle ‘Fuente’ Case

Because there is no point in arguing who should manage the famous Fuente Osmeña Circle, the Provincial Capitol has offered to settle the case it filed years ago.

Provincial legal officer Orvi Ortega said the Capitol is already waiting to sit down with Cebu City officials to “formally meet and discuss” the settlement of this issue once and for all.

Ortega said Governor Hilario Davide III has already expressed his willingness to withdraw the case as it is “pointless” to continue arguing the ownership of this “landmark,” and even offered to co-manage it.

“As to when they are going to formally meet and discuss it; wap-ay idea to that matter. But of course the governor has already stated
that this is a way of compromising…to settle the case,” said Ortega.

Former governor now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia filed this civil case before the Regional Trial Court asking it to order the Cebu City government to turn over ownership of the landmark, which has been under the city government’s management for the last 100 years.

Garcia, who had a rift with then sitting Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, told the court that the property sits on a 1,100 square-meter lot that the province owned. The case is still pending before the RTC.

Davide, who is not an ally with Garcia, said he wanted to talk it out with Cebu City officials even if the incumbent Mayor Michael Rama is not an ally, as he would rather help in maintaining Cebu’s “legacy” than arguing in court as to who should take care of it.