City council dared: Override veto

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is firm on his stand to veto the Corporal Punishment Ordinance.

The mayor is willing to meet with the different non-government organizations appealing for the approval of the ordinance, but said he will not change his mind anymore.

“I will not change my position. I will give them the opportunity, but I have made up my mind,” Rama said.

He also challenged the Cebu City Council to just override his veto if they are really confident about the ordinance.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustos Young earlier suggested that the ordinance needs to be subjected to a referendum to get the sentiment of the public.

But for Rama, this is an act of cowardice.

Councilor Leah Ouano-Japson convinced her fellow city legislators to support the ordinance for the protection of children against physical and verbal abuse from their parents, guardians and teachers.

Section 4 of the ordinance states that a violator shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than six months or fine not exceeding to P5,000, or both.

Mayor Rama has seven working days starting to day to act on the ordinance.

The Mayor’s Office received its copy last Wednesday and said his position to veto it stands.

Rama announced in his recent State of the City Address that he will veto the ordinance because it is anti-poor.

The mayor believes that the penalty of P5,000 for parents or guardians who will violate the ordinance will make the poor even poorer.

Rama said that the council should be passing ordinances that are enforceable, practical, reasonable, just, fair, not oppressive and not confiscatory.

He said in vetoing the ordinance, he is only exercising his duty as mayor who looks at the welfare of the majority. (FREEMAN)