Rama to turn to SC in bid to clear name of alleged drug protector tag

RAMA

IF ALL else fails, former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama will bring his crusade of clearing his name as an alleged drug lord protector to the Supreme Court (SC).

Speaking before yesterday’s 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Rama revealed that he had been trying his best to seek an audience with President Rodrigo Duterte who earlier named him as one of many officials allegedly coddling drug lords.

He said he even sought the help of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Duterte’s special assistant Christopher “Bong” Go to get in touch with the President, but to no avail.

“How I wish that (meeting with the president) can come soon. If not, I’m pursuing the direction towards the Supreme Court and IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) because I am a member of the IBP,” he said.

He said he wants the SC to investigate the situation considering that there are a lot of names being dragged into the issue and that they are being “condemned” without due evidence.

“That will already put a closure. Assuming that I’m a drug protector, show evidence. Who is the complainant? I want that over and done with especially if we cannot meet with the president. That will suffice,” he added.

Rama admitted though that he would still need to consult his lawyers as to how exactly they would bring the matter to the SC.

He said he is also trying to connect with another official close to the President, whom he refused to name, to try to set a meeting with him.

Rama is set to fly to the United States on the 26th and will be back in Cebu a few days before next year’s Sinulog Festival.

Rama, who recently challenged his political rival, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, to a “one-on-one” drug testing to settle accusations of him being a drug addict, also warned his rival to stop spreading rumors against him.

If Osmeña continues to accuse him of being a drug addict, Rama said he would not hesitate to file a case against him.

But Osmeña said he would not waste his time filing a case against Rama just to prove the latter to be a drug protector.

He said that President Rodrigo Duterte had already done it.

“Let the president answer that, not me. He is listed,” he said.