RAMA(CDN FILE PHOTO)
Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama said he was dumbfounded when he learned that he was among the drug coddlers named by President Rodrigo Duterte in his early Sunday dawn speech.
In his press conference at the Rama Compound in Cebu City Sunday morning, Rama said he didn’t expect to be on the list.
“I’m very much saddened about what the president uttered. In my own view, it’s very much untrue. I am not a drug addict. The more I can’t be a pusher, worse a drug protector,” he said.
“Who I am to protect a drug lord? I don’t even have much control of the chief of police and the regional director when I was mayor,” he said. Rama said he will present himself for investigation to prove that he’s never a drug coddler.
“I’m always maintained to be a law-abiding citizen, standing by the rule of law. Wherever they ask me to be at, I’ll be there. I’m very much eager to undergo an investigation to clear air of doubts and so that justice and truth will prevail,” he said.
“Just tell me where I will go, and I’ll be there. I don’t have any helicopter or jet plane. So I’ll just have to buy an ordinary plane ticket,” he said.
Rama said he was sound asleep when his family and friends knocked on the door of his room Sunday dawn to inform him that he was among those named as drug coddler by Duterte.
While he was hurt by the accusations, he said he will continue to support President Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Asked if he fears for his life now that he’s identified by the president, Rama said “I can go out without any security. I can drive alone. I just need your prayers.”
At some point, Rama was teary-eyed while Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and about 30 barangay officials joined him in his residence.
“Imagine you put yourselves here. What will you feel? But this is part of my buhing kalbarayo. This is a challenge in my life. God is always there,” he said.
“Some of my supporters were asking ‘Where is God?’ But don’t say that. Keep praying. Let us pray for our city, the nation, and our president,” he added.
Acting Mayor Labella said he too was surprised with the inclusion of Rama in the Duterte’s list. “I’m shocked and deeply saddened. I know him to be God-fearing and a law-abiding citizen. The president could be wrong. It was a list just given to him,” he said.
Rama served as mayor of Cebu City from 2010 to 2016. He lost to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in the last May 9 election.