Rama to plead case with Duterte today

CEBU, Philippines - Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama will plead his case to President Rodrigo Duterte who will be in Cebu today for the groundbreaking of the 8.25-kilometer Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway.

Rama is asking the help of Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino and Presidential Legislative Liaison Office Secretary Adelino Sitoy to get an audience with the president.

Rama was named twice by Dutrete as drug protector.

“Dili nako mo balik anang clear sa akong name kay bati kaayo na nga word. Wala man gali ko kakita og complaint unsaon pag-clear nako? The most important thing is unsay maayong buhaton aron mag-abot ming presidente,” Rama told The FREEMAN.

Duterte will be in Barangay Pilipog, Cordova today for the groundbreaking of the P27 billion bridge project. It was during Rama’s term when the agreement between the Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. and the Municipality of Cordova was signed. But, Rama said he has not received an invitation for the event.

He said he just connected with Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs Adelino Sitoy, who is also the head of PLLO, to have an opportunity to talk with the president. Rama said he also sought the help of Dino about it.

 “I just want to connect with them kun naa bay opportunity (to meet with the president today),” he said.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, Rama said he has not received any confirmation from Sitoy and Dino yet. On August 6, 2016, Duterte named Rama as one of the “narco-politicians.”

Last Friday, Duterte again named Rama but was referred to as governor of Cebu Province.

Rama already went to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to clear his name. He said he had also sought the assistance of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to get an audience with Duterte.  (FREEMAN)