“UNFAIR!”
This was the cry of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama over claims by the transition team of Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña that the city is in a state of financial disarray.
“I think for me, it’s the most unfair coming from (them). Why? Has she (OIC Mayor Margot Osmeña) become already the Commission on Audit (COA) and not giving us an opportunity to present our side?” Rama said
He said he cannot believe that the city is in financial disarray, saying City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas knows very well the financial status of the city.
“I cannot imagine…where they are coming from. Are they coming in as an audit team? I think the best who could answer this is the city treasurer. I didn’t handle money during my time,” he said.
Rama said that the money of the city has always been managed by the city treasurer.
CDN called Cuevas on her cell phone several times, but she did not answer the calls. She also didn’t answer text messages.
The transition team is tracking millions of pesos funneled into what they believed are questionable disbursements authorized by Rama.
But Rama said there was never a time when the city was in such financial disarray as claimed by Osmeña’s transition team.
“Lisod kaayo na siya i-comment gikan sa kontra. Mao na man na ilahang gisulti sa wala pa sila kasulod (Comments like that are difficult since they come from our rivals. They had already said that even before they assumed office),” he said.
He has also organized his own transition team headed by his executive secretary Belinda Navasquez.