FORMER Mayor Oscar Moreno has labeled the recent controversies surrounding him as “squid tactics,” referring to the ongoing criticisms from the current administration of Mayor Rolando Uy.
Moreno asserted that the present administration inherited P9.6 billion, emphasizing that while there may be no complaints, the liabilities now attributed to him are, in fact, part of the city's continuous financial landscape.
Moreno criticized Uy's lack of understanding of the principle of continuity, describing it as “very alarming.”
“Pag awards nga ang gibasehan ang agi nako iyang angkonon, pero pag balayronon dili nya angkonon,” Moreno said.
He emphasized that the city operates as an “artificial being,” with uninterrupted continuity, regardless of the administering authority.
In a recent press interview, Uy stated that the city was left with only P103 million in cash, investments of P54 million, and receivables of P1.3 billion. [See related story]
Moreno countered that these are assets, which he has not been acknowledged for by the current administration.
He clarified that while the present administration may incur liabilities, they should be attributed to the city government, not the previous mayor.
Drawing from his own experience when he assumed office in 2013, Moreno recalled inheriting a P1 billion outstanding loan from the previous administration, which he fully paid without complaints, understanding the principle of continuity.
“Wala gani ko nag complain nga nagbayara ko sa utang ni Dongkoy (the late Vicente Emano) kay obligasyon man kato sa gobyerno,” Moreno pointed out.
Expressing concern over delayed wages for city hall employees, especially during the holiday season, Moreno questioned the implications for other obligations if salaries couldn’t be paid on time.
Moreno dismissed these issues as “squid tactics,” a strategy he believes is aimed at diverting attention from more substantial matters.
Uy had previously raised concerns about the alleged obligations of the previous administration to Xavier University for facility usage during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Moreno clarified that outstanding claims from Philhealth amounting to P30 million covered City Isolation Units and Temporary Treatment Facilities when he stepped down.
He urged Uy to prioritize mounting payables, especially basic operating expenses like government salaries, for the well-being of regular employees facing increasingly dire situations.
