Rama told: Explain use of city buses

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections has directed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to explain the use of government vehicles during the proclamation rally of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) last Tuesday.

Comelec provincial supervisor Eddie Aba has sent formal letter to Rama demanding an explanation on the presence of city-owned buses near the venue of the UNA rally.

  Rama refused to comment on the letter from the Comelec. He instead challenged the poll officials to also go after the candidates who placed their campaign materials anywhere instead of singling out the use of government vehicles.

According to Rama, even before the local campaign starts on March 29, the city is already filled with campaign materials of local candidates which he said the Comelec should also act on it.

He added that the Comelec should run after the oversized election propaganda materials of candidates.

South District congressional candidate Aristotle Batuhan issued a similar challenge to the Comelec officials. He said the Comelec should be strict also against the Liberal Party when it holds its political rally in Cebu.

Rama accused his political rival, South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña of prodding the Comelec investigation.

According to Rama, Osmeña’s move in going after him for allowing the rentals of Kaohsiung and Yokohama buses to transport the supporters of UNA is a sign that his opponent has panicking.

“Maayo pa’g moitsa na lang siya sa iyang puti nga tualya og mosurender (He should raise his white towel and surrender),” Rama said.

Aside from the ongoing investigation of the Comelec, the Office of the Ombudsman is also conducting its own investigation into the alleged illegal use of government vehicle.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said the anti-graft body is determined to pursue its own probe with or without a complainant.

Although Apostol explained he would prefer that there is a formal complaint.

He said this will dispel possible accusations that the anti-graft body is being partisan. This will also save the office from any notion of being bias against a particular candidate or political party.

He said that using government vehicles outside of the official business is prohibited under the law. Apostol however refused to answer when asked whether or not the use of government vehicles to transport supporters for political rally is official or not.

According to him, he does not want to preempt the issue because this might be the subject of a formal complaint later on. —/FPL (FREEMAN)