Rama assures media access; ‘protocol should be followed’

NOT AN ENEMY. Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama at the Cebu Citizens Press Council meeting. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

Cebu City Hall officials should always be accessible to their constituents and to the media.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said this as he assured the media in yesterday’s 38th quarterly meeting of the Cebu Citizens Press Council that he won’t be  and never was “an enemy of the press.”

“Their mayor is 24/7. Even in conventions with thousands of people, I leave my cellphone (to my staff) because in case of any emergency, they can access. That has been my position all the time. If you want to be a public servant and you want to work in City Hall, it’s a 24/7 job,” Rama said in yesterday’s CCPC meeting at the Marcelo Fernan Press Center.

Chris Ligan, reporter of Cebu Catholic TV Network (CCTN) 47 and president of the City Hall Association of Reporters in Media (CHARM), questioned the accessibility of sources and documents in City Hall as well as late advisories for activities and press conferences.

Although he said he’s aware of the constitutional provision on access to information, Rama said there are also protocol and procedures to be followed.

Judgement call
He said the practice of some reporters of going through documents on the mayor’s table without his permission should be done away with.

“Lest, it really is a matter of life and death, or if it’s a matter that will tell the truth, the mayor will be the last one not to release documents but let procedure and protocol be complied with. It is on a case-to-case basis. But the general rule is it should be the judgment call (of the department head),” Rama said.

He instructed Public Information Office (PIO) supervisor Elmer “Jojo” Labella to relay the concerns of the reporters during the next meeting of City Hall department heads.

Rama also spoke out on criticisms of his “gag order” on department heads which requires them to ask his permission first before appearing at council sessions.

READ: Cebu city department heads reminded of mayor’s ‘gag order’

“If they invite, the council should invite them not in aid of persecution, grandstanding, destruction or in aid of election. It should always be on a legislation that they will have to formulate. Sometimes, the lawyers in the council cross-examine them. And there’s a constitutional provision that you cannot testify against yourself that will result to self-incrimination,” he said.

Responsible
Rama also vented his sentiments on City Hall coverage.

He asked that his responses to issues against his administration that were published in the front pages of newspapers be also accorded the same prominence.  He also complained on being misquoted, though he didn’t cite specific instances.

“I never disagree if you make criticisms. But I will always make a stand if that criticism is filled with lies. I have never ran away from any interview. Alkanse man ta ana. I’m telling you, I can face and die today, corruption is not my cup of tea. But service is my life,” he said.

CCPC executive director and lawyer Pachico Seares asked Rama if he ever called or contacted the newsroom involved to raise his concerns and also to correct if there are any mistakes.

Rama said he simply tells the reporters about what he thinks during his regular news conferences at City Hall.