Seniors deny plotting Mike’s recall

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) yesterday received reports that some groups are using the sector in attempts to unseat reelected Mayor Michael Rama.

“We just want to inform the public that this activity is not authorized by the OSCA. We learned that some of the senior citizens organizations in the barangay organized this. Although we have yet to confirm the information,” OSCA chief Rolando Llaguno said.

Llaguno said he was informed by Belinda Navascues, Rama’s secretary, about the report.

“Bel (Navascues) received a call from her sister residing in Guadalupe. She said that there was a gathering of senior citizens in the place and that they were made to sign a petition which asks for the recall of the mayor due to failure to regularly release the financial assistance to senior citizens,” Llaguno told reporters shortly after receiving the information yesterday noon.

The sister of Navascues, Llaguno relayed, was unable to read and sign the alleged petition because there were too many senior citizens at the barangay multi-purpose complex.

Furthermore, he urged other barangays who observe the same activity of trying to bring the mayor down to report it to OSCA so that the office can call the attention of those who organized the gathering.

Guadalupe Barangay Captain Michael Gacasan denied reports of the destabilizing activity stressing that the gathering is for verification and updates on identification cards conducted by the city Department of Social Welfare Services.

Llaguno explained that the allegations of the mayor failing to regularly distribute financial assistance is not true citing there is still two remaining quarters before the year ends.

“We already know that the first chunk of the financial assistance was given March 25 and 26. That was P4,000. The remaining amount is P6,000. That can be distributed in two sets with P3,000 each,” the OSCA chief stressed.

Moreover, the mayor accordingly informed Llaguno that once he gets his new city treasurer, the supplemental budget for the distribution of financial assistance will be the first priority.  (FREEMAN)