Mayor now ‘free’ to pick others: Council no longer mine - Rama

MANILA, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama the other day expressed dismay over the current City Council, saying its members are no longer acting like his allies.

“Dili na nako konseho…. Dili na akong konseho, dili na,” he said over his regular online program over his social media platform Sugboanon Channel.

He said the situation is different now compared to before, when there was always a meeting of minds and they listened to each other.

“Kaniadto, paminaway man ni… unya wa may manghilabot namo,” the mayor said.

Now, he said, the lack of communication is making the situation chaotic, just like what is happening now with the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT).

“Mao bitaw ng gubot ng BRT…. Before, Tommy among boss, kami suporta niya. Pag mayor nako, gitiwas nako...Palangga man na nako si Tommy ba…. Ako gyud ng gipadayon. I know the wisdom (of doing it),”

Mayor Rama said, referring to former mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“Lahi na ang konseho karon, lahi sa konseho nga nagkuyog siyam (ka tuig) sa time ni Tomas Osmeña, (former mayor) Alvin (Garcia),” he added.

He said there are supposedly ally city councilors who have become uncooperative, as if somebody else is leading them.

“Mangutana lagi ko, kinsa na may gipaminaw nila ron? I call it political players. Mao nay akong pangutana,” Rama said.

That is why, he said, changes in his possible political lineup in the 2025 elections is inevitable.

“If yes (they are no longer with me), then in due time, I will make my final political direction. That brings us to October (this year). What you may probably see now, what you may probably hear now, might not be what is going to be happening in the days to come…if members of the council will not much have synergy (with me),” the mayor said.

He reiterated, though, that “ang pulitika mulabay, ang paghinigalaay tunhay, ang pamilya, hapsay”.

But as “independent mayor”, he said, he has the liberty now to choose whom he wants to be with in the coming elections.

“Mopili ko unta kinsay akong mga kauban…Pro-God, pro-people,” he said, while further saying that he does not want those who practice mental dishonesty and insincerity.

“Kon kauban ta, di ta kuyog, unya kung kuyog ta, di ta kauban, unya magkauban ta, wa moy respeto sa mayor. Nagtuo lang mo nga okay ra nang inyong baba bisan unsaon ninyo’g sulti diha. Nganong magkuyog man ta?” Rama said. (CEBU NEWS)