In Ernest Hemingway's novel about the Spanish Civil War, "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1940), a line states, "What a horrible thing war is." Many perished, but survivors of World War II recount experiences of freedom and grass, distinct from the grass in Naga City. War is not easy, with constant hiding in mountains to avoid Japanese soldiers and bayonets. Thus, many were shocked when Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro declared she is ready to go to war with Vice Governor Glenn Anthony Soco. She said, "I don't know what he's trying to do. Is he preparing for war? Because I am prepared for war." Is this akin to the war in Iran?
Calm Governor's Unusual Outburst
The typically calm and graceful governor, often seen dancing gracefully on TikTok, did not hold back when questioned by Soco about the proposed compromise settlement for tax payments from Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC) to the Capitol. ALQC operates quarry activities in mountain barangays of Naga City and supplies limestone to APO Cement Corporation. It faces a tax assessment of P1.218 billion, including quarry taxes, monitoring fees, and environmental enhancement fees from 2009 to 2025.
Tax Reduction Sparks Controversy
Soco criticized the proposed compromise settlement between the Cebu Provincial Government and ALQC, which would reduce the tax payment to only P211 million, resulting in a loss of over one billion pesos for the province. This significant reduction has raised eyebrows and fueled the ongoing political dispute.
Hypocrisy Allegations Surface
Governor Baricuatro labeled Soco a "hypocrite," pointing out that Soco authored a resolution approving a similar compromise settlement during the administration of former Governor Gwendolyn Garcia. This agreement with Dolomite Mining Corp. (DMC) reduced the tax assessment from P855.9 million to P56.31 million, amounting to a loss of approximately P800 million for the Capitol.
Clarifications and Denials
However, the governor clarified that the compromise settlement still requires approval from the Provincial Board. Soco, in response, stated that his intention is not war but to protect the interests of the people. It appears that no actual war will occur, but the verbal sparring highlights deep-seated tensions over fiscal management and political accountability in Cebu.
