Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama (center) talks about his suspension order after the flag-raising ceremony in front of Cebu City Hall building. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Anticipating the implementation of a second suspension order, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday announced the early distribution of financial assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Senior citizens will each receive P2,000 today while PWDs will get P1,000 each tomorrow.
“I would’ve wanted it after the barangay (cash aid release) right away but there had been some skirmishes. So right now I said, give it tomorrow (Tuesday), the next day (Wednesday) PWDs, so that they will not suffer if there will be some skirmishes,” the mayor said in a speech following the flag raising ceremony yesterday.
Distribution of the cash assistance is three days ahead of the schedule on April 15 for senior citizens and April 18 for PWDs.
This would be the second round of cash distribution by the Rama administration within the election period, despite the lack of clearance from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The city government also distributed cash incentives to barangay officials on April 5. The 80 barangay captains in Cebu City each received P15,000 while barangay councilors got P9,000 each. Barangay treasurers and secretaries got P6,000 each.
Based on Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code, Comelec prohibits the release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds from March 25 to May 8 in line with the May 9 national and local elections.
Mayor Rama could find himself in trouble for the cash incentives if a complaint is filed before the Comelec.
But Comelec 7 Director Jose Nick Mendros earlier said they won’t act until a verified complaint, or a complaint under oath, is filed before their office.
The mayor as well as Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and 12 councilors are facing suspension for six months for abuse of authority in relation to the P20,000 calamity aid that they gave themselves after Supertyphoon Yolanda and the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013.
Implementation of this second suspension for Rama hinges on Comelec en banc’s decision today on an application to exempt the order from the election ban.
Leonora Ceballos, a registered senior citizen from Barangay Pasil, welcomed the early distribution.
“Maayo na lang naay pangpalit og tambal. Mas maayo gani kay nasayo, uy, kay kami, wa na baya miy trabaho unya nagsalig ra mi ana (At least we’ll have money for medicine. It’s good that we’ll get it earlier than scheduled because we don’t have jobs and we’re dependent on the cash assistance),” said the 69-year-old retired teacher.
Ludy Lauron, a senior citizen from Barangay Tinago, was happy to know that she will get her P2,000 today.
“Makatabang gyud sa pinansiyal, sa mga gastohun, sa mga tambal, sa mga pagkaon (The cash assistance really helps meet our financial needs for medicine and food),” Lauron said.
Cebu City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas said the funds are ready despite the change in schedule.
“Ready na (ang money). Wala nay problema, ang pag-distribute na lang (The money is ready. There is no problem, except the distribution),” Cuevas said.
The money will be coursed through the barangays. Claimants can proceed to their respective barangay halls and should bring IDs for confirmation.
The City Legal Office earlier said the financial assistance for senior citizens and PWDs is part of “routine and normal expenses” which are not covered by the election ban.
The cash incentives given to barangay officials were for “services previously rendered” and there is nothing in the Omnibus Election Code prohibiting it, the mayor said.