ANOTHER media outlet is pushing for a debate between Cebu City’s candidates for mayor — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and former Cebu City mayor and former congressman Tomas Osmeña.
But while Osmeña readily agreed to the invitation, Mayor Rama flatly rejected it.
This was the second time that Rama was asked to a debate with Osmeña and he turned it down. The first debate dare was in February.
On his Facebook page, Osmeña posted on Thursday afternoon the letter from Bombo Radyo Cebu daring the candidates to a debate. It was signed by station manager Roger Gencianeo and assistant station manager Marchoflix Lucabon who offered to serve as debate moderator.
The station also indicated in the letter that Osmeña’s opponent, Mayor Rama, is invited.
The invitation stated that the debate dubbed as “Debate sa Bombo” will happen on Wednesday (April 6) at 8:30 a.m. at the station’s studio in Cebu City.
It said that the debate was aimed at enlightening the constituents of Cebu City about the candidates’ platform of government and other burning issues, so the people of Cebu City could think wisely whom to vote in the coming election.
Osmeña in his FB post said he accepted the debate.
“I just got a letter from Bombo Radyo inviting me to a mayoral debate this April 6 at 8:30 AM. I’m going. Let’s see what happens,” he posted.
The post of Osmeña now got more than 1,700 likes, 227 shares and 141 comments as of 7 p.m. on Friday.
Netizen Joel Jr. Rudinas commented that he’d like to see Rama in that debate, and Osmeña responded, “Ako pud.” (I too.)
But when sought for comment, Rama closed his door to the debate.
“We have been very clear on our stand. We don’t join that debate, especially kon ang among debatehan . . . di nalang ko mosulti,” he said.
Rama said the people of Cebu City clearly did not want the style of his opponents which always blocked his projects and programs in the city government.
Rama’s first supplemental budget last year was not approved by the BO-PK-controlled city council after it was sourced from the proceeds of the sale of the South Road Properties (SRP).