Rama says allies agreed to join PDP-Laban

RAMA (FILE PHOTO)

Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama said their decision to join the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Labang ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) was agreed on by his allies.

“We decided to join PDP-Laban because we want to be partners for change. We believe in federalism and the fight against criminality and drugs. But in order for President (Rodrigo) Duterte’s programs to be more effective, it must have proper cooperation and coordination from the grassroots level,” he said in a press conference he called in his residence in Barangay Basak San Nicolas Sunday noon.

He said he respects the decision of a few of his allied city councilors not to join the group in their transfer. Among those who decided not to join the group’s transfer to PDP-Laban were Councilors Pastor Jun Alcover and Nendell Hanz Abella.

Rama said the two had “personal reasons” for not joining the group. Rama also said he chose not to join the oath taking ceremony of PDP-Laban held last Saturday evening due to his inclusion in the list of alleged drug protectors divulged by the president earlier this month.

For now, he said he will focus on clearing his name. He said he still plans to join the PDP-Laban once he clears his name./Reporter Jose Santino S. Bunachita