Rama asks Ombud, Comelec: Probe Tomas for festival donations

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama challenged the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to act on the announcement of a barangay captain that Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña gave donations for the holding of Kaplag Buwad Festival.

Rama said the admission of Pahina San Nicolas Proper Barangay Captain Abraham Desamparado before the media last Wednesday that the lawmaker gave him donations is already a ground for investigation.

“The barangay captain has to be summoned by Ombudsman and that where Comelec can come in, don’t wait that I will be the one to complain. Busy na kaayo ko’g pangampanya dili na gud na sila makadaug nako. Para nako kanang ilang gipamuhat mga indication na sa ginganlan og ratol,” he said.

Aside from the Ombudsman, Rama said Comelec officials should also do their task of running after politicians who violated the provisions of the election laws.

For his part, Comelec-7 Regional Director Tenie Lambino confirmed that the giving of donations by the politicians, either in cash or in kind, is strictly prohibited by law during the election period and anybody can file formal charges against the violators if they want.

Anybody who will be convicted for violating election-related laws will face up to six years imprisonment without probation, and it will also include disqualification from holding of public office and prohibition from exercising the right of suffrage.

Lambino explained that even if Desamparado had announced to the public that he received donations from the south district lawmaker, still it is not enough evidence to prosecute Osmeña unless if the barangay captain will execute a sworn statement or there will be witnesses who execute affidavits.

The election official said anybody can file charges against politicians who they believe had committed election violations, but he explained that to succeed with the case is different, unless if there is a verified complaint.

But Rama said, “Come on...verified gud tawon sus maryosep sigi bitaw na sila’g file og complaint nako wala man na ma-verify.”

When asked by the reporters whether he will file the necessary complaint against his political opponent, Rama replied, “Busy na kaayo ko day... sus bisiha na nako.” (I’m too busy.)

Osmeña denied giving cash donation to Desamparado because according to him, he knows that giving of cash and in kind donations during election period is illegal.

The lawmaker said what he did was only to help Desamparado look for a sponsor for him. “Siguro sa iyang utok, I donated because I helped him get the sponsor,” Osmeña said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

Desamparado said the estimated expenses for the holding of the 6th Kaplag Buwad Festival that will be held tomorrow will reach P485,000. He asked for financial assistance from City Hall, but his request was not approved because it was recommended that the budget shall be charged against Pagcor funds.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, head of the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Finance, said the cultural activities is not included in the guidelines of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation that Pagcor funds can be spent for that purpose. —/JPM (FREEMAN)