Mayor Rama wants city residents to vote for provincial officials

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday said he wants city residents to be able to vote for officials of Cebu Province. He tasked his son, Atty. Mikel Rama, to study how by possibly amending the city charter.

In an interview with the City Hall online platform Sugboanon Channel, the mayor said it is high time that the residents are able to exercise their right to vote for province officials.

He said this while the city is celebrating the 87th anniversary of the signing of the Cebu City Charter on Feb. 24.

Cebu City became a chartered city in 1937 under the administration of president Manuel Quezon. That time, the mayoral post was appointive, not elective.

“Klaro kaayo nga naay intention, the spirit was very clear, nga we will vote for the provincial officials, not only the governor but the provincial officials, including during that time mga board members, with governor and the vice governor,” Mayor Rama said.

“Unya timely gyud, opportune gyud, kay muingon gani ka’g Feb. 24, nya 87 years na sa pista sa pagka-charter, di gyud na mawala, wala gyud na mawala sa akong alimpatakan, ug pilit na nga kawsa sa akong dughan,” he added.

He tasked Mikel, a lawyer, to fully look into the matter. Mikel, the mayor had announced days back, is running for Cebu City south district councilor in the 2025 elections.

“Ang importante si Mikel iya na ning gitrabaho karon,” Mayor Rama.

In the same interview, Mikel said his intention to review the charter is in line with the “Dakbayan Tinukod sa Katawan” theme of the City’s Charter Day Exhibit, which was opened the other day.

He said that despite being different individuals, people in a certain location have their collective perception shaped by the place they are raised together, hence Cebu City residents should be part of Cebu province.

“Important kaayo na sa atong charter…(sa) pagtuki nato’g balik sa atong karta. Kay if you look at it, ang atong charter is the foundation sa atoang collective nga identity isip mga taga-siyudad sa Sugbo,” Mikel said.

He said that it is vital to study the history of Charter Day and revisit what has been laid down that may affect the future of Cebu City.

Initially, he said, he learned that there have been Supreme Court decisions that generally repealed the charter’s provisions due to changes made on the Local Government Code of 1979.

“So mura na siya’g (charter provisions) mawala, pulihan na siya sa Local Government code,” Mikel said.

He added that these alterations or amendments caused Cebu City to be “disenfranchised” from Cebu Province in terms of choosing its officials.

The alterations, he said, include the specifications and types of cities, which include highly-urbanized cities, component cities, and the independent cities.

He said that due to this, it got indicated that high-urbanized cities shall be independent from the province.

“And then mo-vote na differently,” Mikel said.

He cited the case of Mandaue City, whose original charter stated it its residents are not allowed to vote for provincial candidates, before it was revised.

“Then gi-revise ilang (Mandaue) charter nga pwede na sila ka-vote (for provincial officials),” he said. — (FREEMAN)