Gwen finds Rama’s opposition “petty”

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has ignored suspended Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s opposition to hold the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2024 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The governor finds Rama’s comment so trivial to merit a reaction from her.

“I only comment on worthwhile issues,” Garcia told The Freeman.

The lady governor added that she does not “dignify pettiness”.

In a press conference Monday, Rama expressed opposition in the holding of the Capitol-organized festival at the CCSC on August 25, 2024.

The suspended mayor believes that it does not make sense to hold the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo in a facility owned by the city government and is still up for renovation.

“Ayuhunon paman gani. Furthermore, nganong diha man gyud? Please, please, please wala na gyuy laing lugar? Pasigarbo man na (Cebu Province)...This is Cebu City,” Rama said earlier.

He suggested holding the event at the South Road Properties (SRP) instead or better yet for the provincial government to repair the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

“Asa man atong sentido kumon ani? Pasigarbo sa Probinsya man na. Dili man na Pasigarbo sa dakbayan sa Sugbo,” Rama stressed.

He also reminded acting Mayor Raymond Garcia that the city is autonomous from the province and should not allow himself to be dictated by his aunt.

Governor Garcia and Rama have been in feud since the former issued an executive order stopping the construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station in the Capitol-owned lots on Osmeña Boulevard.

The governor said the BRT station would alter the view of the Capitol Building, a historical landmark protected by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The provincial government contended that the project should be cleared with the NHCP.

The issue resulted in Rama’s filing of an administrative case against the governor before the Office of the President. Rama also accused the lady governor of meddling the affairs of the city government by supporting the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) on some issues involving property ownership in the port area.

Despite Rama’s vehement opposition, however, the acting mayor is permitting the use of the CCSC for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

There will be 51 competing contingents and one guest performer from Cebu City for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo this year. Yesterday, Gov. Garcia met with all stakeholders and agencies involved in the preparations for the grandest event dubbed as Festival of Festivals to discuss concerns. Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is part of the month-long celebrations of the 455th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Cebu.

During the meeting, the governor said they chose CCSC as venue for this year's Pasigarbo because it is the central ground to the towns and cities in Cebu Province. She said this year's festival will have 10 new judges from the arts, television, theater and movies who will choose the best among the 51 competing contingents. According to Garcia, the judges are not from Cebu.

"Wala pa ni sila kasulay...I don't think any of them have seen the Pasigarbo but they are experts of their own field of dance, culture, film as well as a wide range of experience in several business endeavors, so mura og wide ang range sa perspective karon nga mo judge sa 51 festivals competing," Garcia told the stakeholders.

A delegation from St. Petersburg, Russia will also witness the Pasigarbo. — (FREEMAN)