EDITORIAL - A move Rama will never win

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is opposing the transfer of former mayor Alfredo Arsenio to the Cebu City Jail from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center. Saying there’s no reason for Arsenio to be committed to the city jail, Rama feared he will turn into another major headache for jail officials.

The former mayor of Lezo, Aklan was accused of murdering radio broadcaster Heherson Hinolan in November 2004. The Supreme Court transferred the trial of the case to Cebu since the prosecution witnesses were afraid to testify knowing Arsenio’s influence in Aklan.

Rama knows Arsenio is a very controversial figure. At the provincial jail facility, Arsenio was involved in various controversies. Reports said he is receiving special treatment from jail guards, allegations that were denied by Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia herself.

Checking on Arsenio’s detention status, the Capitol looked into the Supreme Court order on the transfer of the case’s trial to Cebu. The High Court granted the Department of Justice motion, a part of which stated that Arsenio be detained at a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Cebu City while his case is being heard.

As it turns out, Arsenio is in the wrong jail. Now the Capitol is seeking for his transfer from CPDRC, which is being run by the provincial government not by BJMP.  Since she is calling the shots over the CPDRC affairs, Garcia was right in saying the jail facility is only for prisoners from the province.

Even if Rama does not want another liability for the city jail, which also has its own share of various controversies, he cannot refuse if the court would order for Arsenio’s transfer. He knows there’s no other BJMP facility in Cebu City except for the city Jail.

It would be better if Rama would stop complaining about Arsenio’s transfer to the city jail. He should be advised that he will never win in his move, which will only create another chapter of animosity between the province and the city.