Cebu City Vice Mayor Mike Rama clarified that the giving of cars to the judges in the city is not a form of bribery as it is the duty of the government to extend help and services to its agencies.
“Cebu City is a highly urbanized city. We have the money and for the dispensation of justice, we can afford to buy cars for the judges. Why not,” Rama said.
But Rama clarified that the plan to give cars to the judges, which was earlier announced by Mayor Tomas Osmeña, is still subject for discussion.
“This matter (giving of cars) has still to be discussed as to how many and how much. But I assured the Cebuanos that it will not be luxury cars as City Hall does not want to be accused of being extravagant,” Rama said.
Rama sees nothing wrong with the plan as the city government has been giving assistance to other government agencies like the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, among others.
“Mohatag man gain ta og financial assistance to other places, how much more our own local judges. There is no need to put malice if we will be giving cars to the judges,” he said.
Earlier, Osmeña had asked the City Council to supply each of the Regional Trial Court judge in the city with a car starting with the two judges who are “victims” of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
Osmeña was apparently reacting to reports that the two judges’ P6,000 monthly allowance was withhold by the province. The two judges earlier dismissed the cases filed by the province against the mayor.
The provincial government is giving monthly allowance to judges of RTC and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities in Cebu. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/LPM (THE FREEMAN)