City Council to honor George Rama

CEBU, Philippines - An opposition-dominated Cebu City Council yesterday passed a resolution to honor the late Barangay Basak-San Nicolas captain George Rama.

The members of the City Council who are mostly allied with Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan agreed to give Rama a posthumous award. The resolution was sponsored by councilors Nendell Hanz Abella and Gerardo Carillo who are allies with Team Rama.

"To approve the awarding of posthumous award for exemplary public service to the late honorable George Rama through his surviving family," the resolution states.

The resolution describes George's sudden death as an enormous loss.

"His untimely demise is a great loss to the people of the city of Cebu," the resolution added.

But, Mayor Michael Rama said it would have been better if his cousin was given the award while he was still alive.

"I do not really match in agreement with posthumous award. It should have been given (while he was still alive). Di man sad mahimo ako moingon tagai ninyo…karon sa Charter Day naa koy tagaan og award pero di man ko kahatag award ni George kay klaro man kaayo paryente,"  the mayor said.

"Wala tay mahimo (with the resolution) but I still would like to encourage awarding body to look at people who are alive now that have been contributing in line with public service," he added.

The mayor said he is encouraging everyone to give suggestions to him on those people with excellent characters.

"I wish and encourage people to bring names to my office aron nga before anyone having to die, at least award will already be felt, award will already be received, words of encouragement and words of praising will already be heard," the mayor said.

He said there will be a necrological service at the City Hall on Tuesday. George will be buried on the same day at the Cebu Memorial Park in Banilad.

George served as city councilor from 2001 to 2004.

The mayor recalled that his cousin was like his partner and was one of his strongest supporters.

"He was always there supporting my political views and decision. We talk without holding back because wa siya'y kahadlok even if he has only one arm. He was also very witty making everyone happy," the mayor said.

George, 67, died Monday afternoon while being confined for pneumonia at the Chong Hua Hospital. —(FREEMAN)