Barangay captain sued over decision on gym

CEBU, Philippines - The president of the sports group in Barangay Basak San Nicolas has filed a complaint against Barangay Captain George Rama, a cousin of Mayor Michael Rama.

Voltaire Cuta, president of the Alumnus Basketball Association, sued Rama for allegedly refusing to let them use the barangay’s gymnasium.

In his complaint, Cuta said that upon learning that the gym has been reopened, he immediately sent Rama a letter requesting that they be allowed to use the facility. Rama allegedly denied the request because Cuta had supported former mayor Tomas Osmeña in the May 2013 elections.

Osmeña ran for mayor but lost to Michael Rama.

“Surprisingly defendant Punong Barangay turned down the complainant’s request because the latter had supported the former’s nemesis, then mayoral candidate Tommy Osmeña, last May 2013 local election and that according to the defendant, BOPK supporters had no room at the Alumnos Gym,” he stated.

Such act, he said, violates Section 3(e) and (f) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“…defendant Rama is a public officer being the head of barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City. He is deemed to be the chief executive of the said barangay. His refusal to allow the association to play in the Alumnus Gym is a patent act of partiality and is clearly tainted with bad faith,” the complaint reads.

Cuta, in an interview, claimed that the filing of the complaint was not politically motivated. Cuta is running as councilman in the barangay in the October 28 polls.

Earlier this month, Cuta also filed a separate administrative complaint against Rama before the City Council for the same alleged offense.

Rama told The FREEMAN he will face the charges against him.

“There is no problem. I will face it… its politics… they’d like to destroy me… why only now?” he said in Cebuano.

The gymnasium was closed temporarily after the May elections to give way to the construction of a health center. It was reopened last August.  (FREEMAN)