Level playing field

Last week, One Cebu Party a local political party in the Province of Cebu announced its support for Vice President Jejomar Binay in the presidential derby.

One Cebu has die-hard supporters  who could give the vice president a much-needed boost in terms of voting power. Maybe Cebu is not the solid Binay country that controversial banner at the South Coastal Road proclaimed, but  One Cebu’s support  assures Binay  of getting a slice of the vote here in Cebu.

Add to the equation of Cebu City’s suspended mayor belonging to the vice president’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) party, and though not the landslide number Binay might have hoped for, still, the trickle might turn into a torrent in Binay’s favor.

Remember, Cebu is touted to be a  Roxas bailiwick but things have changed since the Duranos’  Bakud Party  has now shifted its support from Roxas to Grace Poe.

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When former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in a press conference presented to media a photo of the incumbent mayor Mike Rama taking a selfie picture with some participants of  the 51st IEC opening Mass  at the SRP, he castigated  the suspended mayor for unseemly behavior and  his lack of respect for the solemnity of the occasion.

I think it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black: Here, we have  the former mayor  complaining about  the mayor’s conduct when he took selfies with the crowd. On the other hand, there is also a photo of him with his political allies proclaiming their party’s  lineup inside the Templete after the mass, and right in front of the altar!

I think the mayor did not intend to disturb the solemnity of the occasion or offend the sensibilities of the crowd who were attending  the mass at the SRP. He was only accommodated the requests of some of the people to take selfie pictures with him.

I find it a sorry state of affairs for the former mayor  to complain because some of the pictures going around in social media also show him in similar circumstances, violating the sanctity of holy ground, so to speak.

I find it admirable that mayor Mike Rama  immediately apologized to the public for the selfie pictures  taken before the start of the mass but, we have not heard anything at all from Osmeña.

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I think the hearing of the case of Mayor Rama on the Vic Buendia complaint may be suspended because it may run counter to the election ban principle that no hearing or suspension or dismissal may be implemented during the election period which would officially start on Feb. 9.

The DILG hearing officer declared that the hearing may be continued after the election because of the election ban.

I think this is a welcome respite for  Team Rama from what is perceived by many to be a persecution of the mayor. Under the present  administration, we can observe the swiftness to prosecute, suspend and dismiss political opponents of the ruling party. The administration’s allies who face complaints have a sweet deal going for them. Plaints against them usually  do not prosper. But, as   some wags are wont to say,  weather weather lang.

It is indeed unfortunate that under the present administration, it is clear that if one is not their   political ally, one can never expect to get a fair shake in any investigation, prosecution, suspension or dismissal of government officials.