City Council’s independent fiscalizer

Her first two years in office was like a roller-coaster ride for Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann de los Santos.  Although a neophyte legislator, she’s one of the trusted soldiers of Mayor Michael Rama, being the only  councilor allied to  the mayor in the city’s north district.

But lately, their relationship seems to be turning sour.

Early this year, de los Santos was replaced as the end-user representative in the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) for the CCMC project. But she remains the head of the CCMC ad hoc committee that “oversees” the city-run hospital reconstruction project.

Although feeling “displaced and betrayed,” de los Santos said she is still determined to make sure that Cebuanos get a world-class, yet affordable, hospital and assured that she will continue to advocate for transparency, public accountability and good governance.

What course did you finish in college and what prompted to you run for public office?

I finished Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science in 1988 and pursued my law degree in 1992 at the University of San Carlos.

Destiny. My pursuit for good governance and making a difference to the lives of the Cebuanos (was the reason why I joined public service).

Advocate. Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos speaks her heart out on issues and thinks close to her heart — good governance, public accountability and transparency, and the Cebu City Medical Center.
(CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

Where did you get your drive for public service? Is there another politician in the family?
Good governance. The idea of good governance. It is possible to achieve. Can we change the political landscape riddled with corruption? I believe we can.

Yes, my father run for congress in the 3rd district before.  He was the technical adviser to the late President Ramon Magsaysay.

Most of your siblings are abroad? Any plans of also leaving Cebu?
I think I found my paradise in Cebu.

Do see yourself getting married?
Are there any good men left worthwhile investing my life (with)?  I’d like to believe somebody is out there. You will never know. I have been investing my life to serve many rather than serving only one. (Laughs).

How did you start your political career?
Humble beginnings in the barangay I was born, Lahug.  I started as barangay councilor in 1994 then became barangay captain in 1997.  I think and would like to believe that what I achieved in Lahug is a microcosm of good governance.

If you weren’t in politics, were would you be right now?
Cebu.  My roots have grown too deep to uproot myself.  I love this place I call it home and I want it to be the best place on Earth.

What is your greatest fear as a politician?
That never crossed my mind. Not fear. Challenge! That’s a more inspiring word for me. If I follow my basic principle of truly being a public servant then there will only be good outcomes.

Who do you talk to for advice?
My father when he was alive. Now, my doctor brother (Renato) who lives vicariously his political instincts through me, and a couple of confidant friends.

Do you get blamed for wrong decisions? By whom?
YES. Family and friends. And that nagging philosophical question “Will the means justify the end? Or will the end justify the means?”

You were Lahug barangay captain. What prompted you to seek higher office?
I was strongly motivated and inspired by Lahug. Dedication to public service brings good things to all.

What were these offices and when?
I run for Mayor in 2007, Congress in 2010 and City Councilor in 2013.

Why settle for a council seat this time?
It’s a privilege. Any public office is an honor. To be  given any bigger responsibility is a challenge I will never turn away. In the name of public service there is no such thing as a higher or lesser position.

You were allied with the Kusug group of former mayor Alvin Garcia. Is the group still active?
I’m not sure.

Why did you end up joining Team Rama?
On the basis of shared principle of public service. Serving the Cebuanos’ best interest. That’s the whole premise of the alliance.

How was your first two years in office?
Learning and challenging.

What’s the biggest challenge or difficulty you’ve had so far? How did you manage to surpass those?
Putting the principle of public service to the test.  Fight corruption.  The awakening of realism versus idealism I saw in the political arena — intrigue, manipulation, character assassination, deceit, betrayal, greed, rage, indifference and insatiable indulgence.  It is in this realization that I am in the midst of the dark side of human nature and that is the most challenging.

I surpass all this because my heart’s deepest desire is to serve.

It’s been a numbers game in the City Council. But you do not always seem to toe the line. Where do you base your decisions on?
My decision is based on what serves the Cebuanos’ best interests and not what is politically correct. A situation that calls for no compromise.

In one word, how would you describe Team Rama? BO-PK? Cebu City politics?
Team Rama: Ask Mike;  BO-PK: Ask Tommy; Cebu City politics: Ask yourself.

What’s the real score between you and councilor Margot Osmeña?
We are classmates in the 13th Sangguniang Panglungsod.

Is there really an alliance brewing?
Friendship.

How is your relationship with former mayor Tomas Osmeña? Do you get along?
Nothing personal. All politics. I have not personally and officially worked with Tommy Osmeña, so I can’t answer that.

When were you appointed head of the CCMC ad hoc committee?
December 2, 2013.

What were you supposed to do as committee head?
Be mainly responsible in the conceptualization and eventual implementation of the new CCMC, with the end view of institutionalizing such system for transparency and accountability.

What was the basis for your appointment?
Through a resolution duly approved by the CCMC ad hoc committee.

Was that enough to legitimize your membership in the BAC?
I believe so because it has the imprimatur of the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of BAC.  Nobody questioned the validity of my appointment until the disqualification of the first bidder.

After blowing the whistle on the CCMC bidding, what was its impact on your political and personal life?
Politically displaced and personally betrayed.

How do you feel that you’ve been replaced as end-user representative to the special BAC for CCMC?
That was expected and that’s the price I have to pay for advocating transparency, public accountability and good governance. It’s a relief to be out of the mess. But I will not allow myself not to be an advocate to make sure CCMC will be built to serve the Cebuanos.

Did you see all these coming?
Yes.

How is your relationship with the mayor?
He is my boss.

Do you still talk?
Political talk, but personally mute.

When was the last time you saw him or visited his office?
During the soft opening of the Cebu City Medical Center (March 5).

How is your relationship with other Team Rama councilors?
You mean James (Cuenco), Hans (Abella) and Dave (Tumulak), we are okay.  If we have time to bond together, we have lots of fun and laughter. To these three gentlemen, I am their conscience.

Do you visit CCMC often? What do you think is its biggest problem?
The last time was last month. The biggest problem of CCMC is the whole political chaos as to who has control in building the hospital.

When CCMC was ground zero, there was nobody, but when the bidding process came, I  saw many personalities posturing and suddenly want to be involved under the guise of public service. Probably there is the color of money. (laughs)

How do you feel that more than a year after the earthquake, CCMC remains a ‘ground zero’?
I feel sad, angry, frustrated, disappointed and somehow helpless but still hopeful because, I’m not going to abandon CCMC even if am displaced. I can assure the city of Cebu that I will continue to advocate for transparency, public accountability and good governance.

What do you think needs to be done to hasten the hospital reconstruction project?
The collaboration of people both in the public and private sector, nongovernment organizations, civic organizations,  etc. who advocate for transparency, public accountability and good governance without personal vested interests except to make the dream come true to build a modern, state-of-the art and yet affordable Cebu City Medical Center.