CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama decided to “politely decline” an invitation to join President Aquino in celebrating Independence Day on June 12 in Iloilo City.
Rama said he would rather stay in Cebu City to fulfil prior commitments since there were “just too many activities” on his schedule that day.
“I decided it won’t be fair to disturb all of that so I will have to decline,” he told Cebu Daily News.
Rama, who’s in Manila for official business, said he looked forward to attending the annual Independence Day government parade which will feature “field demonstrations” by public school students in Cebu City organized by the Department of Education.
He’s also attending a feeding activity for street children to launch an anti-hunger program by local volunteers.
When Rama received the written invitation from Malacanang on Tuesday, his immediate reaction was one of surprise.
“Is that really for me?” he asked his secretary.
Rama, who left the Liberal Party in 2012, is open about his support for Vice President Jejomar Binary and his disappointment in the national government’s lack of support for projects like the Cebu City Medical Center.
The 117th national celebration of Independence Day will take place in Santa Barbara Plaza in Iloilo City.
A statement from the Office of the President said this is part of President Aquino’s thrust to recognize the role of regions in the fight for independence from colonial rule.