Tommy Osmeña strips Cebu City mayor’s office bare as he steps down

Based on photos released by media on Friday, June 27, Osmeña stripped his office bare as all furniture and fixtures have been taken out. (File photo: Tommy Osmeña/Facebook)

Outgoing Cebu City Mayor Tomas “Tommy” Osmeña literally made sure that he did not leave any of his stuff in his office before he turns it over to his successor.

Based on photos released by media on Friday, June 27, Osmeña stripped his office bare as all furniture and fixtures have been taken out. The ceilings, glass dividers, and most of the tiles were nowhere to be found. There was also a photo of the washroom where only raw concrete can be seen.

In a text message sent to Rappler, the outgoing mayor said he used his personal funds to have a “functional office” when he sat down as mayor in 2016 because his request to allocate funds for the office renovation was denied by the City Council.

“It is very unusual for an outgoing mayor to strip his office, but it is equally rare for the city council to reject my request to fix the mayor’s office,” he added.

Incoming Mayor Edgardo Labella, meanwhile, told Cebu Daily News (CDN) Digital that he was “really surprised” by what Osmeña did to the eighth floor office.

“Why did he even have to do that? I never expected that to happen,” he said.

As per media reports, Labella’s camp is considering to take legal action against Osmeña.

Osmeña lost his reelection bid against Labella, who was his former vice mayor.

On his May 14 Facebook post, the outgoing mayor, whose term ends on June 30, had thanked his supporters.

“From my family to my staff to all our volunteers, no one knows how much support and hard work you gave as much as I do. I will never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done, but know that I will forever appreciate it. To all my supporters who put their faith in me, I will be eternally grateful,” he wrote.

He also reminded the people of Cebu that he will “still be here” for them no matter what.

“You are, and always will be, the priority. Leadership and service require no position. I will always be ready to defend those who cannot defend themselves,” he added.