Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama visit’s the Inayawan landfill to witness the evacuation of 70 families who were told to move out immediately because the site is a “danger zone” with its towering piles of garbage. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)
If a suspension order is issued against him by Malacañang, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he won’t go down without a fight.
He said he would “stay at City Hall” because he believes he has done nothing wrong.
“If you are with me, if you believe in our administration, when the time will come, I will stay at City Hall. Come join me, over our dead body,” he told media representatives invited to City Hall.
Rama announced his bid for reelection to a third a last term in 2016 during the forum.
Rama said he actually expected a suspension order as a political attack on his bid by the Liberal Party-led administration through its investigation into the 2013 calamity aid released to City Hall officials and employees, including himself.
“I believe it will happen. It will definitely happen but I don’t live in fear. I don’t (rely on) insinuation or fabrication. The truth will prevail, Rama said.
His comment ”over my dead body” was the same response of former Cebu governor Gwen Garcia, when she defied a six-month suspension order from the Office of the President for alleged usurpation of the powers of the vice governor and holed up in her Capitol office, refusing to step out for two months until she was locked out of the premises.
Asked about the threat of a suspension order, Rama yesterday said emphatically: “Over my dead body, because I did not commit anything wrong, did I? Only the people of Cebu City, who voted for me, have the right to kick me out.”
Rama was asked about various issues, including the rebidding of the Cebu City Medical Center project and the fate of scavengers living in the Inayawan landfill.
He first showed a short audio-video presentation of his administration projects like like re-blocking, road opening, and cash aid distribution.
City Hall department heads were present at the two-hour forum.
The mayor said he was unfairly being blamed in an investigation by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) against him, Labella and 12 city councilors over the calamity aid release in 2013.
The complaint was filed with the Office of the President by Reymelio Delute, a supporter of the Bando Osmena-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK).
Rama reiterated his side on the issue, saying his original intention was only to give P10,000 to each City Hall employees as a Christmas bonus in 2013.
But when the proposal reached the city council, it was increased to P20,000 and made calamity assistance.
READ: Rama worried over possible suspension order from DILG
He singled out BO-PK Councilors Sisinio and Andales and Margarita Osmena, both critics, as being part of the aid disbursement. He said Andales was the author of the ordinance for the aid release and Osmeña heads the committee on budget which reviews City Hall financial transactions.
Rama may end up in a similar situation as Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay who was issued a preventive suspension last month by the DILG. Binay was able to secure a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the Court of Appeals.
The suspension imposed on former Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia in 2012 came a few months before the 2013 elections.
The DILG is headed by Secretary Mar Roxas, a stalwart of the Liberal Party. Rama, on the other hand, is part of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) which is headed by the Binays.
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Rama challenged his critics to “let the elections in 2016 decide.”
He invited the media yesterday to what he called an “interactive forum with media leaders” to announce his reelection bid.
“I would like it publicly (announced) now, in this important forum with media leaders that I am seeking a reelection in 2016 and my vice mayor will still be your vice mayor Edgar Labella. Can you give us a round of applause?” he said.
Rama said the election protest filed by former mayor Tomas Osmena, who lost in the 2013 mayoral polls, has evolved into an attempt to oust him through an administrative suspension.
“They keep telling people in the sitios that they’re coming back after two, three, six, nine months. One year has been over, (they say) they’ll be coming back, they’ll win the protest (but they didn’t),” Rama said.
Osmeña filed an election protest with the Commission on Elections after the May 2013 elections claiming that Rama conducted massive vote buying in his favor. No decision has been released yet.
But while both Rama and Labella are sure about running next year, it’s not as clear for other Team Rama candidates.
The mayor was asked about the status of Councilor Mary Ann Delos in Team Rama, the subject of a lot of speculation that she would bolt and team up with Margot Osmeña.
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“I am not oblivious. But I’m not also going to be consumed by it. This matter will always be a possibility or it will not be. But I am always praying. A family that prays together, stays together. I cannot control emotion. I cannot be dictating what’s in her head,” he said.
He said he “sees himself” in Delos Santos, comparing her to his earlier days as a councilor with an “independent mind.”
READ: Mayor defends Mary Ann on CCMC bidding, demolition issue
Rama was also asked about City Hall’s fiscal challenges, including tight cash flow and recurring audit reports about lapses in financial management.
He said increasing revenues was a priority and the Cebu City doesn’t need to always ask for funds from the national government.
“We need taxpayers to pay. If they have not been paying correctly and properly, they should. And those who have not been putting all that are supposed to be subjected to taxation, let them all report,” he said.
He said he wants zero-corruption in City Hall and to finish priority projects
in his next term like continue improving the South Road Properties (SRP) and to beautify the city’s coastline.
He mentioned the revitalization of downtown Cebu city, especially Colon Street, an active midtown and progressive uptown areas like IT Park and Ayala’s Cebu Business Park.