Rama to pursue case vs. Osmeña

CEBU, Philippines - Reelected Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will continue to pursue the criminal case that he had filed against his rival, south district Representative Tomas Osmeña, before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

The Ombudsman is investigating Rama’s claim that Osmeña, after his term as mayor ended in 2010, brought with him two units of Dodge Charger vehicles that were donated to the city by Michael Gleissner of Bigfoot Entertainment.

In filing the complaint, Rama used newspaper clippings that showed former City Hall public information officer Nagiel Bañacia revealing plan of Gleissner to donate the two vehicles to the city.

Ombudsman investigators informed Rama that they need more pieces of evidence like the sworn statement of the reporter who wrote the story, which was made the basis of his complaint.

Osmeña, meanwhile, challenged Rama to present to the Ombudsman the deed of donation of the vehicles to prove they were donated to the city by Gleissner.

Gleissner’s plan to donate the two US-made vehicles to the city was first published by The FREEMAN when Bañacia voluntarily gave the information.

Bañacia said Gleissner wanted the two vehicles to be used by the security personnel guarding the South Road Properties (SRP). Gleissner is leasing a two-hectare lot at the SRP for his movie studio.

Osmeña said he is not afraid of the case because Gleissner did not pursue his plan to donate the two vehicles to the city.

The vehicles were then reportedly sold to his sister Minnie Osmeña.

Gleissner reportedly decided not to pursue his plan to donate the vehicles to the city after knowing that Osmeña’s term as mayor was about to end.

“He should prove that the cars are owned by the city. He is the mayor, he should produce the deed of donation, City Council resolution accepting the deed of donation and other documents,” Osmeña said.

 Thanksgiving

Meanwhile, local political parties are preparing for a thanksgiving for their supporters.

Outgoing Vice Mayor Joy Young said the Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan will hold a gathering this afternoon at the vacant lot beside UC-METC.

“It will be held at about 3-4 in the afternoon,” Young told reporters.

Rama, the chairman of Team Rama party, has not yet announced their own thanksgiving. He is set to leave today for a 22-day vacation to take a rest.

Meanwhile, vice mayor-elect Edgar Labella said his thanksgiving will coincide with the fiesta of Mabolo, his barangay.

“Ako nalang idungan aron mausa na ang pista sa Mabolo ug thanksgiving,” Labella told reporters. – With Jessa Chrisna Marie Agua/LPM  (FREEMAN)