Gabuya: No sanction on Rama's defiance

CEBU, Philippines - An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government admitted that no sanctions could be imposed against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama even if the local chief executive defies the memorandum of Secretary Jesse Robredo against the holding of out-of-town trainings and seminars.

 DILG Cebu City director Patricio Gabuya, however, urged Rama and other local government chief executives to comply with Robredo’s memorandum circulars particularly those that involve enforcement of existing laws.

Rama had made public statements that he would defy Robredo’s memorandum that bans holding of out-of-town trainings, seminars and other related activities. In fact, the Mayor authorized the travel of at least 30 officials of Sangguniang Kabataan to attend the Youth Environmental Summer Camp in Baguio City.

The five-day activity started last Sunday wherein Cebu City SK contingents have to spend P15,000 each or P450,000 for the event. The amount will be charged against the SK funds in their respective barangay.

But, Gabuya said the SK officials’ attending the summer camp in Baguio is above board and could not be taken against Rama. He explained that the trip was covered by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the officials of DILG and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Aside from the memorandum on out-of-town trainings and seminars, Rama is also opposed to another memorandum of Robredo directing the local chief executives to actively support the Optical Media Board in the enforcement of the law that bans the pirating of Digital Video Discs, Video Compact Discs and other similar products.   (FREEMAN NEWS)