Suspended mayor refutes accusation of extravagance

CEBU, Philippines — Suspended Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama refutes comments made by some detractors accusing him of extravagance after Acting Mayor Raymond Garcia reported significant savings from the Palarong Pambansa budget.

Rama explained that the savings were due to plans, including the construction of the grandstand’s extension.

According to The Freeman, the Cebu City government, as reported by Garcia, was able to save at least P234 million out of the P405 million budget approved by the Cebu City Council for the Palarong Pambansa 2024. Out of the budget for city-sponsored activities, only P148,029,413 was utilized, leaving P51,970,586 in savings.

From the SB 1 amounting to P205,974,035, only P22,999,830 was utilized, resulting in P182,974,205 in savings. In total, only P171 million was utilized from the accumulated P405 million budget, giving the city a total of P234,944,791 in savings.

Rama had declared a self-moratorium before and during the city’s latest hosting of the Palaro at the Cebu City Sports Center, promising not to discuss anything that might negatively impact the city’s hosting. He assured that he would share his side after the event.

“Dili lang ta magpataka..kay dili raman ako maoy giigo..ang mismo gyung grupo, DepEd, regional and local, c John Pages nga maoy chairman, (acting vice mayor and Education Committee chair) Dondon Hontiveros and Dodong Taborado (Cebu City Sports Center manager), naa sud gyud sa Abellana/CCSC..Apil pa c Yumi Espina(City planner),” Rama pointed out.

Rama said that the plans for the Palaro were not solely his idea but were developed through the convergence of minds from various stakeholders.

“Kaning tanang giporma ning plano--out of convergence, out of everybody helping It’s just very sad..without impunity..without consulting all these people, gi-slash! Nangawa, asa naman diay ang kwarta nga e extend ang grandstand?” Rama said.

Rama disclosed there should have been an extension all the way to the property line.

“Sayon kayo pag slash, but it was an intended, ili lang for Palaro, but ang kinatibuk-an, preparing the place for football..with the extension,” Rama explained.

“Mag-una ganing baba nato unya kalimot ug consult sa mga katawhan nga nag huna-huna,” laments Rama.

Rama also pointed out that the layout of the stage used in the Palaro opening and closing ceremonies was not part of the original plan, as the athletes were supposed to be the center of attention.

“One in-a-lifetime Palaro..ended as Palaro for production…that was not the concept,” Rama said.

Rama also took the time to thank some generous donors who helped refurbish the CCSC, which allowed the city government to save part of its budget. These donors included Cebu Landmaster, the Pages family, and University of Cebu’s Atty. Augusto Go, among others.

Regarding the portalets, while acting Mayor Garcia mentioned that the city government saved some funding, Rama noted that they still ended up renting them out.

“Portalet, ang ending nangabang ra d.i gihapon..Wako mu dip ana..Ang process (in slashing out) di mao…Ikaw nay nahimong COA… Derecho dayon sa newspaper pabilib…Pabilib to at my expense..Salig mo kay dili mo preventively suspended,” Rama said.

Rama also denied having any involvement in selecting the contractor for the controversial rubberized track oval, stating that the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) handles it.

“Naa man nay BAC, structure…Si Mike Rama, dili lagi ko contractor…wa gyud ko nag apil-apil ana kay ang akong pilosopiya gyud, trabaho lang ko, dili muhatag ug purhisyo, ug labi na gyud, dili apilag negosyo ang pwesto,” Rama said.

But Rama said the contractor should be accountable, but due process should be done.

“We give them due process..Ako ra ba, I’m a defender gyud kay I have become a victim of the absence of due process.Dili ta mu conclude,” said Rama.

Rama also expressed his confusion about why the Palaro budget was suddenly being questioned, noting that it was the City Council that approved it.

“Nahibong bitaw ko, diha naman ka Si vice mayor Raymond Garcia, he is the presiding officer why all off the sudden, pagkahimo niyang care taker, nahimo naman siyang COA? Diha man na gikan sa konseho, nganong wa man na tuki-tukia diha…Mao nay akong pangutana,” Rama fires back.

“Ang gisagpa, dili lang ako, nga igo rang ni dawat sa gi approve sa konseho, mao nay ingon ko, ayaw mog patakag hasmag kay dugay biya kong Vice mayor, dugay sad kong konsehal, nibalik pa ko pag ka bise mayor, dako kaayog role ang konseho,” Rama added. —/LPM (FREEMAN)