Rama: ‘I felt abandoned’

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama admitted he felt “abandoned” by his political allies when no one, except Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, joined him in the prayer rally with former President Rodrigo Duterte at the South Road Properties (SRP) last Sunday.

Rama also admitted that the incident prompted him to review his political lineup for the 2025 elections. 

"I am telling you, Mike Rama being alone on the (prayer) rally being with Dondon (Hontiveros) and the rest are not around, what do you expect me to feel? I really felt abandoned," said Rama.

Although he considers himself as a “forgiving leader” but changes in his slate has to be made, Rama said. According to him, some names on is initial list of candidates have to be dropped, especially in the congressional level.

He mentioned that Councilor Nestor Archival, Sr. is now out of the list. Earlier, Rama said he included Archival in his lineup despite being a member of the opposing party. The mayor would have wanted Archival to run for congress in the north district.

"Nestor Archival, no more pagka congressional," said Rama.

Rama explained that he had given Archival until February 24 to decide but the latter has officially joined them.

"No more na," he added.

Former mayor Tomas Osmeña, however, is endorsing Archival to run for mayor under the banner of Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK). Osmeña also expressed interest to be Archival’s runningmate.

The former mayor made the announcement during a press conference at the Casino Español yesterday.

Meanwhile, Rama said the People’s Initiative to amend the Constitution has changed the political landscape in Cebu City.

 Rama emphasized that it was his position against the People's Initiative that motivated him to attend the prayer rally last Sunday. He made the clarification following speculations from his own partymates that he went to Davao to back the initiative.

According to him, he was in Davao for a political gathering of the PDP Laban and was present as the party’s vice president for the Visayas.

"No more no less... kay sila akong mga kauban, (under the assumption) nga organizer ko sa, gisabotan na daan sa Davao nga naay prayer rally, dili man na mao akong giadto didto," said Rama.

"Bisag kauban pa ta mo, ayaw mo’g pataka," he added.

Rama reiterated that did not only feel abandoned, he also feels for the former president because the people who were with him when he was in power did not anymore show up to support him.

Rama recalled how he was branded drug protector by Duterte before and how he was isolated by the people then surrounding Duterte. In fact, he recalled how he was excluded from the group taking their oath of office before Duterte. — FPL (CEBU NEWS)