Rama asks Council: Don't revamp committee chairs

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has asked some city councilors not to reorganize the chairmanship of the different committees in the City Council claiming that he is already comfortable with the present set-up.

Rama however said he will respect the decision of the council if majority of the members decide to pursue the revamp.

The Mayor made the request during his meeting with selected councilors last Monday afternoon where he also took the opportunity to explain the circumstances that led to his leaving the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

Rama is scheduled to meet all the councilors in a dinner gathering at the Elizabeth Hotel tonight.

During his regular news conference yesterday, Rama added that he has nothing against Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, wife of South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña, with regards to heading the finance committee.

However, he said, he would prefer a senior councilor to hold a major committee such as the committee on budget and finance.

Margot is on her first term as councilor. Currently, she holds the committee on tourism but she is being eyed to hold the finance that is currently being chaired by Councilor Joey Daluz.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, however, eyes Councilor Noel Wenceslao, an accountant, to hold the chairmanship of the committee on finance since he is now the vice chairman should there be reorganization.

Rama’s allies fear that if Margot becomes chairman of the committee on budget and finance, the council might refuse to approve the budget requests of the mayor.

The council however made an earlier assurance that they will continue to support Rama’s program as long as it is for the good of the city even if he is no longer an ally of BOPK.

Meanwhile, Rama denied sending the loyalty letter to the 18 councilors saying he himself received the same from an anonymous sender.

Rama said that it is not in his personality to send letters and threaten people to be on his side.

Daluz does not also believe that such letter came from Rama because it merely defines the meaning of the word ‘Loyalty’.

He said the message of the letter, delivered by a man in slippers and shorts, applies to all government officials. – (FREEMAN)